Opposition Leader refuses Prime Minister’s invitation

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has declined an invitation to meet with Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and refutes claims that by not accepting the Prime Minister’s invitation, it indicates that his New Democratic Party (NDP) is not interested in constitutional reform.{{more}}

At the NDP’s constitutional review forum held at the party’s headquarters at Beachmont last week Thursday at the same time that the Committee of the whole House of Parliament was meeting to discuss the Constitutional Review Report, Eustace said that his party has been committed to the Constitutional reform process since the Sir James Mitchell administration, but they do not see themselves as simply accepting proposals.

Eustace said that full respect and recognition of their ideas and contribution must be given since his party represents 45% of the voting population. By ignoring the grievances outlined in their letter dated July 27, Eustace said, the Prime Minister shows arrogance and disrespect.

Reading a letter addressed to the Prime Minister dated Thursday August 16, Eustace said “The opposition will maintain its position of non participation in the process until the issues raised are dealt with by your government.”

The Opposition Leader further emphasized in his letter, “We regard the issues as very credibly linked to the constitutional process since they deal with good governance and the rule of law which your government continues to ignore, for example, by the maintenance of the billboards.”

Eustace also adamantly stated that the setting up of the National Advisory Council, which would be made up of 15 members who will deliberate and make recommendations on issues affecting the country would be costly to taxpayers.

He said that this country was already riddled with corruption and wrote, “As far as your government’s record on good governance is concerned, and which you describe as excellent, we are of an entirely different view. When we examine the question of political victimization, nepotism, crime, the irregularities of the last general election, VAT implementation, late payments of wages to many workers and discriminatory land acquisition practices and many others, we regard your good governance record as dismal.”

Eustace however said that his party would continue their own public education programme on the constitution. (SG)