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Earlier in the news we told you about the 11th amendment, which will be brought to the House tomorrow. And while it was also expected that the No Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister by the Leader of the Opposition would be tabled, a late notice from the National Assembly states that it will not be placed on the order paper for tomorrow's meeting.
According to the notice, the reason given is because it, quote, "infringes on Standing Order 38(5)…by imputing improper motives in respect of a Minister and a Minister of State and by making assertions of malfeasance against the Prime Minister.… ….In addition, the substantive part of the Private Member's Motion seeks to have debate on the lawfulness or otherwise of a matter, that is, the Portico Agreement, which is the subject matter of an existing claim before the High Court." End quote.
But even if the document made it to the House, the PUP was ready to shoot it down. Yesterday, you saw the eight statements of confidence put out by the different arms of the PUP. We thought it was a little excessive, but according to Minister Julius Espat, they just wanted to make extra sure that their support for the PM was known.
Reporter:
"Is this a bit of an overreaction to one No Confidence Motion from the Leader of the Opposition?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"I don't like to argue with you because if we had not put out a support to our leader you would have chastised us."
Reporter:
"But eight? "
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"But it's the organs, so if you want to know that we're supporting our leader, the organs are important. The women's movement, the Marshalls, the youth movement, and the various caucuses. We're solidifying our support to our prime minister and we're doing it because we're confident in the decisions that are being made. It's simple, we're not ashamed of that, but if he is being attacked, and we are not in agreement with the attack, or the reason behind the attack. I could go back to the same words that you tried to put on us. That it's a cowardly attack. I can, but I won't. We're just showing support to our leader because our leader is not one person. Our leader is us, he's a reflection of us, and we are a reflection of him. And if we can't support him, what are we here for? My humble response to that."
Reporter:
"But if you're saying Mr Barrow is nobody to fear, then you could've just let that slide."
"And you would be happy."
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"But somebody accuses you and you are defending yourself and then you're saying that's not important? That's what you're telling me. We're defending our leader because we believe he is doing a very good job, because he has allowed us individual ministers and ministers of state and area representatives to do their job."
"Therefore, we are in full support of the leadership of the People's United Party, and we should never ever be ashamed of that."
