Despite what Mr Basdeo Panday said in early April 2005 that "Politics has a morality of its own," the exuberance of youth and the immaturity, it seems, of seasoned parliamentarians in this eleventh parliament, leave much to be desired.
One would expect good-natured picong but not profanity, especially in the Westminster system that we claim to follow. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, the Opposition members are feeling the stinging pinch, in light of the unbelievable bursting of their victory bubble on September 7.
Not to be outdone, ministers are not only still drunk with success but are vying for the attention of the Prime Minister who to date, has carried about himself in a very statesmanlike manner.
It may have temporarily escaped our parliamentarians that debates are not only happening in realtime but are being broadcast on public television where young and old alike are observing their behaviours.
Where is the respect for one another, regardless of political affiliation? Life is given to unparliamentary language and behaviour by talk shows on many radio stations, with audio clips of the speakers being played and replayed, almost ad nauseum.
Is this what parliamentarians want? Referencing previous unparliamentary language, however far back and said by whom, is no excuse for good or exemplary behaviour. Sure, picong is part of our culture and nothing is wrong with it. So too, cross-talk during debates, even though it is disrespectful to others and shows disdain for the speaker.
In this new parliament, given the tenseness of the recently-concluded general elections, it is expected that accusations and denials would be made and that tempers would be high. Parliament is certainly not the place for rumshop talk and behaviour. It is about the people's business and being the highest court in the land does not mean "anything goes" and that it "takes care of its own."
T&T is on show to the world, especially in this age of technology, which has made the world a global village. So despite "who did what" and "who didn't do what," we need to heed the words of our Prime Minister who expects that all of us would work together to build a better T&T. Let us not demean ourselves and descend into gutter politics in the eyes of the world.
To begin the process, I suggest that the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Senate President and Senate Vice-President must nip unparliamentary language and behaviour in the bud, lest it becomes too ingrained in the parliament. To date, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been a little tardy in responding to such unbecoming behaviour. If necessary, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Senate President and Senate Vice-President should suspend for a day, anyone, including the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition for unparliamentary language or behaviour.
Parliamentarians should not use parliamentary privilege to say and do whatever they want, smug in the fact that they cannot be sued.
Further, I suggest that the Prime Minister forthwith speak with his ministers and senators on what constitutes good parliamentary language and behaviour.
The Leader of the Opposition should do likewise with her members of parliament, including Senators. Additionally, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition should agree to have an independent person, not necessarily local, spend one day with all parliamentarians, articulating the dignity of parliament.
As the Prime Minister said, let us all work together to make parliament more dignified and not be ridiculed in calypsoes, too numerous to mention, including one that assisted in crowning a calypso monarch not so long ago.
Picong yes, unparliamentary language, no.
Harjoon Heeralal
Carapichaima