Hospitalised APNU MP could be replaced for budget cuts

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:02 by GxMedia

Richard Allen

The collapse of APNU’s parliamentarian Richard Allen during budget debate last Thursday has the coalition considering its options to ensure the opposition maintains its one-seat majority in the National Assembly.

With the speechifying close to an end and the consideration of the estimates set to begin within days the APNU has to move soon if it the opposition parties are to make good on the promise to make controversial cuts to the GUY$208.8B proposed estimates.

One option is a temporary MP to replace Allen who medical sources say is recovering in the hospital after collapsing in the parliament chambers. Reports say the APNU official is hypertensive and doctors are working to bring his blood pressure under control in a gradual manner. Consideration of the estimates could run for another week and has often gone way past midnight.

“We’re looking at that situation, I visited him this afternoon and looked at his situation but I don’t think that’s going to be a contentious issue,” Leader of the Opposition and APNU Chairman David Granger said Monday night.

When asked whether they would go the route of a stand in member he stated that they would have to consider their options based on Allen’s health which was an important factor in deciding the way forward. 

A parliamentary official confirmed that they would be ready to swear in the replacement whenever the APNU decided on the individual.