Speaker Wade Mark yesterday put his foot down over allegations of racism among MPs in the House. Mark, in a statement just before the 4.46 pm tea break, said he would not permit such allegations as they imputed improper motives and were an unhealthy personalisation of the issues being debated.
Mark issued the ban after Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Patricia McIntosh took great offence when Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan told her she always had something to say bordering on race. Rambachan was on his feet at the time, making his contribution to the budget debate and McIntosh was constantly throwing salvos at him.
Hotly denying the racism charge, McIntosh said she would not accept it and rejected it. In her contribution after Rambachan, she made reference to the matter several times, saying those on the other side were always accusing her of racism.
Mark, in his statement, noted that Rambachan did withdraw the allegation. He said such allegations constituted a lazy debate method and members ought to concentrate on developing intelligent arguments.
