Prime Minister Gonsalves writes Opposition Leader

The Opposition came in for much criticism yesterday Thursday as they followed through on their threat to boycott the constitutional review process.{{more}}

As the select committee of the Whole House of Assembly met to discuss the final report of the Constitutional Review Commission, the opposition held “an open forum” at Democrat House.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hendrick Alexander expressed his disappointment, stating that the opposition had shown a lack of respect for parliament because they did not inform him of their position.

“No letter or form of communication was sent to me,” said the Speaker yesterday.

Sentiments of regret were also expressed by Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Steering Committee (CRSC), Parnel Campbell. He said that he hoped the opposition will change their mind.

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace however assured SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that he had no intention of changing his stance.

He said that as is stated in his letter to the Prime Minister a couple weeks ago, his party was boycotting the process unless the issues raised in his letter was addressed.

“We are not going to be there, I am not going to change my position on the matter,’ he made clear.

On Tuesday, August 14, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who has continually stated his disappointment over the NDP’s stance, officially conveyed his view to Eustace in a letter.

“It is unfortunate that your party has chosen not to participate any further in the process, especially for the reasons proffered, given all the facts, circumstances, and context,” Dr Gonsalves writes.

Dr Gonsalves told Eustace that his government plans to continue with all practical dispatch the process of constitutional reform.

“The door is open, as always, for Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition to participate fully,” he states in his letter.

While Dr Gonsalves stressed that he believes the “things’ raised by Eustace in his letter cannot be credibly linked to the process of constitutional reform or the participation in it, he is willing to discuss them with Eustace.

“I am prepared, however, to discuss them separately with you at a mutually convenient time at the Prime Minister’s office,” Dr Gonsalves writes.

In the letter which was sent by the Opposition Leader to the Prime Minister, Eustace questioned the Gonsalves’ led government’s commitment to good governance and called for the removal of the Supervisor of Elections, for the 2005 elections report to be submitted to them, for the removal of the ULP political billboards that remain erected since the elections of 2005 and for an explanation from Senator Julian Francis about controversial statements he made following the elections, suggesting that he knows how many Syrians voted for him.

Senator Francis has since said that his knowledge was based on political work on his part and not related in anyway to election fraud.