No confidence motion for Parliament March 02

All ministers and government MPs have been advised to cancel their travel so that they will be present in Parliament for the opposition no confidence motion in the Prime Minister Kamla.

The debate on the motion sponsored by Opposition Leader Keith Rowley is scheduled for next Friday, March 02. It's the first such motion against Persad-Bissessar since taking office in May 2010. 

Leader of government business in the House of Representatives on Thursday directed all government MPs and senators “to be in attendance to support the Government and participate, if necessary, in the debate.”

Roodal Moonilal said: “All ministers and Members of Parliament are required to cancel travel arrangements to ensure your presence at the Parliament on Friday, March 2, 2012.” 

Rowley filed his motion on February 17.

It reads: 

“Whereas an unending series of events have demonstrated:

• The Prime Minister’s gross incompetence
• Failure to stimulate the economy and create sustainable employment
• A consequent unwillingness to act in the best interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago
• An absence of effective management of officers under the control of the Prime Minister, resulting in persistent confusion and encouragement of wrongdoing in the conduct of the national affairs of Trinidad and Tobago

Be it resolved that this Honourable House express its concern and lack of confidence in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar."

Parliament has set aside two days for the debate, which begins at 1.30 on Friday afternoon. It's expected that there will be no adjournment until the matter is completed.

That means there could be a marathon session with 11 opposition members expected to speak and potentially 29 members on the other side.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has dismissed the motion as "frivolous" and an attempt by Rowley "to waste valuable Parliament time". He added that Rowley is hoping to create a diversion hoping to derail government's legislative agenda.

The Manning PNM government fell in 2010 when then prime minister Patrick Manning dissolved Parliament to avoid a no confidence motion brought by Persad-Bissessar who was Leader of the Opposition at the time.