Sunday, March 30 2008

OPPOSITION LEADER, Basdeo Panday, said that after a good night’s sleep, he feels that he has a lot of work to do to preserve the democracy in Trinidad and Tobago following his parliamentary suspension on Friday. He told Sunday Newsday, yesterday: “I do not feel any different about Friday. If anyone feels any differently, they are still in mental slavery by the People’s National Movement. People do not realise what is going on.”

Panday refused to leave the House after being ordered to by the House Speaker, Barry Sinanan. The refusal stemmed from Panday’s use of his laptop without Sinanan’s prior permission.

Panday said, “Barry Sinanan is trying to create a regime where the Opposition is being strangled. We have got to protect that. We have to fight it and bear the consequences.”

Panday noted that the consequences would probably be going to prison once again. He also added that the choice was to either fight for what he believed in or lay down and die.

Panday continued, “If he gets away with this, what would be the next step? Will the Opposition have to ask permission to speak? Will he say that we cannot bring our briefcases unless we are going to speak?”

Panday said, “It will reach a position where Sinanan will tell us what do.” Panday noted that his family has had to live with this kind of situation for their entire lives, adding that they have gotten accustomed to it.

Adding that he does not know how long his suspension will be for, Panday said that he was going back to Parliament the next time there is a sitting.