Annisette-George: We see us in you

Speaker of the House of Representatives Bridgid Annisette-George yesterday said seasoned parliamentarians learned a lot from youth parliamentarians. Annisette-George made this observation to the 41 students who were members of the 15th National Youth Parliament at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre.

Among the parliamentarians present for the sitting were Senate President Christine Kangaloo, Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, Sport Minister Darryl Smith, Opposition Senator Wade Mark and Independent Senator David Small. Noting there were many impressive contributions by the youth parliamentarians, Annisette-George said, “In some of you, we saw some of us.”

In particular, Annisette-George identified the contribution of Sixth Form Government School student Dillon Constantine, who some people in the Parliament chamber compared to Finance Minister Colm Imbert. “Oh Lord, the minister of finance,” remarked Annisette-George. The Speaker was pleased the youth parliamentarians demonstrated high levels of decorum during the sitting.

She said this shows the “adversarial system does not mean that one must lack civility.” Annisette-George said the youth parliamentarians demonstrated a good understanding of the Parliament’s standing orders. She observed leader of government business Adesh Ragbir had to crack the whip early when some of his members either abstained or voted with the opposition on one motion during the sitting.

Annisette-George was impressed with how her youth counterpart Cindy Nicole Andrews presided over the sitting. “The Speaker cracked a mean whip,” she said. Annisette-George reminded the youths that even outside of Parliament, they and other citizens are all advocates and watchdogs for democracy. Senate President Christine Kangaloo described the youth parliamentarians as “an impressive group of young people.” She agreed with Annisette-George that they conducted themselves with eloquence and dignity. At the start of the sitting, a moment of silence was observed for former youth parliamentarian Kimberly Teelucksingh. Teelucksingh, 24, was found hanging from a rafter of a bedroom at her Iere Village Branch Road, Princes Town home at about 5.50 pm last Wednesday.