Symbol of democracy

IF PRIME Minister Patrick Manning and his government have their ears to the ground they would detect an instant and widespread disapproval of their decision to move the Parliament out of the Red House and relocate it in a building to be constructed on the other side of Knox Street. The initial reaction to this decision, in fact, is one of shock and annoyance since the Red House, the nation's most imposing and historic building, has traditionally and fittingly been the seat of the country's parliament, a link going back to colonial times and one which provides a reassuring sense of continuity, stability, political evolution and our people's commitment to democracy.

Opened by the English Governor Lord Harris in 1848, the Red House accomodated the Law Courts and Registry on the south side and the Legislative Council on the northern side, including the same ornate chamber now used by TT's parliament. Standing magestically by itself on an entire city block and dominating the central district of our capital city, the Red House has come to symbolise for generations of TT citizens our country's fundamental belief in the rule of law and the democratic system of government. These are the priceless values our nation lives by and it is a wonderful thing for us to have a building such as the Red House which not only starred in the evolution of these values but also continues to be their "living" symbol by still housing the country's parliament. It was in the Red House chamber, in fact, that the violent but abortive attempt to overthow the elected Government in July 1990 was acted out and the eternal flame which burns on its grounds not only commemorates the lives lost in that traumatic episode but enhances the Red House's image as the triumphant home of our democracy. For this reason alone, we must now consider the decision of Cabinet to relocate the Parliament an insensitive, misguided and historically wrenching one. There are institutions and monuments too precious to a nation's life and the psyche of its people to be tampered with, in our case the Parliament and the Red House have become inseparable and we feel this union should remain that way. 

In reviewing the Government's proposal, we can see no good reason for moving the Parliament. Indeed, the idea of acquiring the entire block north of the Red House to build a new home for Parliament, a mega-project that would cost tens of millions, seems foolish and wasteful since it would mean having to relocate in turn the newly refurbished magistrates' courts — even before one wing is occupied! At an uncertain time when the Government is faced with so many serious problems, in health, education, transport, communications, the utilities, etc, we must wonder why it has decided to undertake such an unnecessary and costly project without any kind of consultation, not even with the Chief Justice who has expressed his surprise and his annoyance over it. It may well be that the present parliamentary facilities in the Red House are no longer adequate but, with the help of architectural experts and given the space provided by the entire building, we feel sure all the necessary amenities, committee rooms, etc, can be adequately provided. Even the chamber itself can be redesigned to meet contemporary needs. There is talk that Mr Manning wants to move into the Red House when its refurbishment is complete. Does the PM want the whole Red House for himself? What absurdity is this. Have we not just spent $38M in upgrading Whitehall for the PM's office. Does Mr Manning feel the government has money to burn?  We at Newsday insist that the Parliament remain in the Red House. The country cannot afford nor does it need a monument to Mr Manning. He should listen to the people.