CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The leaders of seven political events within the Caribbean have agreed to ascertain a “Chief of the Opposition Political Events Discussion board.”
An announcement issued right here mentioned that the assembly was attended by Allen Chastanet of the United Staff Social gathering (UWP) in St. Lucia, Dr. Keith Mitchell of the New Nationwide Social gathering (NNP) in Grenada, Dr. Godwin Friday of the New Democratic Social gathering (NDP) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamal Pringle of the United Progressive Social gathering (UPP) of Antigua and Barbuda in addition to Shyne’ Barrow of the United Democratic Social gathering (UDP) of Belize, Dr. Ronnie Yearwood of the Democratic Labour Social gathering (DLP) in Barbados and Roy McTaggart of the Progressives celebration within the Cayman Islands.
The assertion mentioned the assembly occurred final Saturday, and the discussions “centered on the necessity for greater consciousness of the constitutional significance and resultant accountability related to the workplace of Chief of Opposition.
“The St. Lucia assembly additionally seeks to develop a framework for parliamentary oppositions in numerous Caribbean international locations to share greatest practices and additional strengthen their constitutional roles’ effectiveness in authorities. “
The assertion mentioned that the assembly “discovered consensus on the significance of the discussion board and agreed to ask different opposition leaders to formalize a regional platform for nearer collaboration at its subsequent assembly,” a date that had not been disclosed.
Chastanet advised a information convention that many regional opposition leaders have had a shared expertise.
“Many instances, the Chief of the Opposition’s place is demonized. We’re treating it as a political adversary somewhat than recognizing its constitutionality and function in our democracy,” Chastanet added.
For instance, he mentioned that in St. Lucia, the Opposition solely noticed the expenditure estimates a number of days earlier than its presentation to Parliament.
“Shouldn’t there be a mechanism the place civil servants, notably these from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Financial Growth, meet with the chief of the opposition’s workplace to present them higher particulars?”
Chastanet defined that the regional opposition leaders discussion board aimed to create better recognition amongst Caribbean Group (CARICOM) residents concerning the opposition chief’s workplace and its function in a democracy.
He mentioned residents ought to regard as “undemocratic” any try and silence, demean, or undermine the opposition chief’s function.
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