Click here to print
UDP Dealing With Divorce, PUP In Cruise Control
Thu, October 24, 2024
The UDP have split up in a messy divorce and are currently fighting over custody of the party. The media is caught in the middle, being bombarded with press releases that both claim to be from the UDP...

The UDP have split up in a messy divorce and are currently fighting over custody of the party. The media is caught in the middle, being bombarded with press releases that both claim to be from the UDP, each condemning the other side. It's a dysfunctional state to be in with only a little over a year left before the next general elections. Meanwhile, the PUP seems to be in cruise control mode with no strong opposition to tackle them.

But who do they view as the leader? Here's what their chairman, Henry Charles Usher said.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
"Maybe that's something I should ask you and Courtney, since you guys were there at the event on Sunday, right, the convention on Sunday. I think looking at it from a governance perspective, it is unfortunate the way the opposition can't seem to get their act together, the infighting that they're having, because they are part of the government, they are elected by the people, they serve in the National Assembly. We've been arguing about this or making mention of it to the speaker that you have a member of the opposition that has not appeared in the House of Representatives, except for that first initial time, and probably stayed for 30 minutes. That is a good governance issue. You are elected by the people to do a job and you just refuse to show up, to do your job. So that is something. The motion last week to remove opposition members from House committees, making it almost impossible that the opposition would be able to be a part of all of his House committees. I think, on Wednesday, yesterday, there were like six House committees. I'm not sure how many of them the opposition attended."

Reporter: But you voted, you were the only person who voted "ay" to pass that motion.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
"The speaker determines if a motion passes. I heard that on Channel 7, but I do not agree with that."

Reporter:
"I saw you. I saw you say..."

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
"I did vote, but I might not be the only one. But as the speaker is the one who decides if a motion passes, I can't decide if a motion passes or not."

Close this window