He was commenting on the declaration by the Congress of the People (COP) that while it remains a part of the coalition it would not necessarily vote with the coalition on all matters before the legislature.
Ghany told the Guardian media COP tried to change the rules on that issue. "They revived the Coudray issue and were prepared to raise it to the level of a deal-breaker," he stated.
"In the COP’s position, there was the suggestion the party would not uphold its collective responsibility but that’s an untenable position to take," he added.
Ghany said, "Such a position would gravely threaten the stability of the Government and would impact on the image of the partnership."
He stated further, “You cannot advocate an independent policy line in a parliamentary system and stay in Cabinet.
“The issue of the Cabinet is for the Prime Minister alone, who is responsible for the shape of the Cabinet and what happens there. The Prime Minister dominates Cabinet and Cabinet dominates Parliament. If a minister is not comfortable with what happens in Cabinet he can resign.”
The issue of collective responsibility was one of the main subjects of Wednesday's emergency cabinet meeting, which was expanded to include non-ministers and Senators.
Ghany said the announcement Wednesday night by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar each member reaffirmed his/her collective responsibility means all ministers have accepted the doctrine of collective responsibility and the stability of the Government is not going to be threatened.
He pointed out that what COP did with its statement of taking an independent line was was tantamount to a rebuke of the Prime Minister. “She had to take a firm and decisive line,” he added.
Ghany said, "Such a position would gravely threaten the stability of the Government and would impact on the image of the partnership."
He stated further, “You cannot advocate an independent policy line in a parliamentary system and stay in Cabinet.
“The issue of the Cabinet is for the Prime Minister alone, who is responsible for the shape of the Cabinet and what happens there. The Prime Minister dominates Cabinet and Cabinet dominates Parliament. If a minister is not comfortable with what happens in Cabinet he can resign.”
The issue of collective responsibility was one of the main subjects of Wednesday's emergency cabinet meeting, which was expanded to include non-ministers and Senators.
Ghany said the announcement Wednesday night by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar each member reaffirmed his/her collective responsibility means all ministers have accepted the doctrine of collective responsibility and the stability of the Government is not going to be threatened.
He pointed out that what COP did with its statement of taking an independent line was was tantamount to a rebuke of the Prime Minister. “She had to take a firm and decisive line,” he added.
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