ST GEORGE’S – The newly appointed leader of the opposition, Tobias Clement says his decision to fill the post that was vacant since February 2013, was his way of taking a stand for democracy.
Speaking Thursday, during his first news conference since receiving his instrument of appointment, Clement who was a backbencher for the ruling New National Party (NNP) administration said that his action was motivated by his need to let his voice be heard after Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell announced the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus package for the country.
“I am sitting there and hearing the Prime Minister announcing this big stimulus package and there was no talk about passing it through the parliament,” said Clement who resigned as a member of the NNP in December 2019 but promised to continue representing his constituency of St George’s North East until the next general election.
“I believe by doing this, I have again raised the awareness of our Grenadian people that there is a trend that is taking place in our country that all decisions that are made by cabinet is law and is final but we do have a parliament,” he said.
“We are into a pandemic in which some people talk about lives to save, yes we have lives to save and I also feel we have a democracy to save,” he said while pointing out that the last time the House of Representative had a sitting was in December 2019.
“Imagine I make this move, after all, this is over, could you ask me where I come from now,” he said as he justified his action his move. “One should not wait until the fight is over then join,” he added.
Promising that he will continue to speak the truth , Clement said that when he was a backbencher, he challenged the leadership of the party because he did not see “eye to eye” with several things.
As Leader of the Opposition, Clement is mandated through the constitution to appoint three opposition senators to the Upper House of Parliament.
He said that he has not yet decided on persons who will replace the senators who were appointed by the Governor-General following the 2018 general election when the main opposition party did not win a seat in the Parliament.
“I have spoken to a number of persons and will make that decision in my own deliberate judgement and then inform the Governor-General,” he promised.
The senators that will be affected by his decision are Kerryne James, Ron Redhead and Glynnis Roberts.
(CMC)
