Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday wished Opposition Leader Keith Rowley a long stay in his seat as Opposition Leader and enough success to get a second term in that position. Persad-Bissessar's statement–made amid much mirth–was among preliminary remarks by speakers on both sides, as the House of Representatives began its first working session yesterday at the Red House in Port-of-Spain. Persad-Bissessar, welcoming House Speaker Wade Mark and other members, told Rowley about the Opposition Leader's seat which he occupied. She said: "I also sat in that chair, it was a short stay but I do wish you a long stay and I wish you a successful term...I hope you are so successful you get a second term." Government MPs dissolved in laughter.
Persad-Bissessar also wished Rowley the best in every effort. She said they had spoken already on one issue and, "It is a good start for all of us." Persad-Bissessar said she knew Mark would want to see parliamentary reform to lift the House higher than it is. She also said that as chairman of the Standing Orders committee, Mark would want to look at changing the Standing Orders to allow for "debate of greater standard" than previous ones. Persad-Bissessar added that the people had voted for the People's Partnership administration and when the Government voted in the Parliament, it was on behalf of the people. She said it was a time for new beginnings and "a new day" with the Tenth Parliament.
Rowley, wishing Persad-Bissessar a successful term, said this country had made it possible for her to have made a smooth transition from Opposition to Prime Minister, based not on gender but competence. He said he was giving her assurance that what he had said, he meant–that PNM would support what is in T&T's interest and would vigorously oppose what was not. Rowley said he was confident Mark would preside with fairness, impartiality, firmness and "of course a sense of humour." He said he was also confident that notwithstanding what road Mark had travelled and with what results, the current post was a great victory for him, the House and the people. "Today must be a red-letter day in the House, especially for those of us deemed to be subjects of the king," Rowley said. Noting the Parliament was starting a new leg, it was the Opposition's intention to conduct business in the same vein that was started with Mark's unanimous nomination, he said.
Mark told MPs he was their servant and would preside and manage affairs with "complete impartiality." He said he was no stranger to the Parliament. He appealed to MPs to assist him in upholding the House's Standing Orders and Parliament's dignity. Mark also thanked his predecessor Speaker, Barendra Sinanan,for his eight years of service. Government House leader Roodal Moonilal said he had called Mark a senator, a minister and a comrade before, and it was now a special honour to address him as "Mr Speaker." Moonilal said the Government was confident Mark would be fair but firm and balanced.
Absent from yesterday's first working session were Government MP Herbert Volney–in hospital–and PNM MP Paula Gopee-Scoon. All other 28 Government and 11 Opposition MPs were present. Former prime minister Patrick Manning took the last seat on the Opposition front bench as reported in Thursday's T&T Guardian. The 28 Government MPs also took their seats spread over three benches also as reported previously. The People's Partnership front bench started with Moonilal and ended with Volney's seat. Sitting on the Government front bench for yesterday's debate (on the police commissioner) was National Security Minister John Sandy. The Government backbench began with Deputy Speaker Fuad Khan and ended with Arima MP Rodger Samuel. The third People's Partnership bench–located behind the PNM bench–comprised backbencher MPs Nela Khan, Jairam Seemungal, Stacy Roopnarine, Ramona Ramdial and Dr Lincoln Douglas. (See Page A28)