Opinion
- Editorial- Commentary
Trinidad
Express:
Words
from the throne
Express
Editorial
In their earliest form speeches from the throne
were essentially words coming from the monarch
or ruler to the subjects. Over the centuries there
has been the forced shift toward the constitutional
monarch who spoke the words of the government of
the day-the now-established Throne Speech that
is delivered in the House of Commons, outlining
in broad terms what was planned for the future;
in other words a legislative agenda.
There is no doubt that this tradition is not only
sound but highly informative for the electorate.
We have in our early days followed this tradition
but since becoming a republic there has been a
welcome shift in the ceremonial opening of each
Parliament. There are of course those who would
have preferred the announcement of a parliamentary
agenda. But as happened in the Eighth Parliament
very early on, the then Attorney General created
precedent by announcing a relatively detailed legislative
agenda.
This newspaper is inclined, however, to what seems
now to be widely accepted that the President of
the Republic speaks generally and freely to Parliament
and its institutions, as well as the citizenry,
on a topic or topics of his choice, unbound by
rigid parliamentary custom. And certainly His Excellency
Professor Richards has given all considerable food
for thought and reflection.
We
are sure that expectations will vary as to what
might best be included in a speech at the ceremonial
opening of a new parliament. What can be said
of President Richards' speech at the opening
of the Ninth Parliament? The striking things
about the content was the passing reference to
depressing headline news deflecting public attention
from the good taking place in the country, and
the extended commentary on two things-the general
economic development of the country, and the
global warming/climate change issue. These two
issues occupied the bulk of the presentation,
followed by an appeal for a mature and rational
approach to addressing the work of the parliamentarians.
We can understand and accept the comments on our
state of economic development, ironically driven
almost entirely by production of greenhouse gases.
But global warming and sea level rise? We can do
little more than experience and suffer it, although
we might be looking at energy alternatives and
conservation.
In any event Mr Manning has made it clear that
his government will proceed with its industrialisation
policy, which will only add to our emissions. Our
environmental problems are also rather more complex
than the examples cited of garbage and deforestation.
We are therefore inclined to support those citizens
who would reasonably expect attention to the pressing
national issues of crime, education, poverty and
health.
Trinidad Express is
one of the most important newspapers in Trinidad
& Tobago. Petroleumworld not necessarily share
these views.
Editor's
Note: This article was first publish
in Trinidad Express, December 23th 2007. Petroleumworld
reprint this article in the interest
of our readers.
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12/ 23 /07
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