In order to say why I am opposed, I have to refer to the amendment itself. I realize I'll get a chance to go back and speak to the main motion, but I'm talking about the amendment.
Not to be able to address the amendment when I'm saying why I'm opposed to the question being put, I think it's so limiting as to end debate. If the aim is not to allow any debate, then let's be open and honest and simply say “vote” and let's not have any debate, because I will exercise my right to debate and make points. In order to explain why I speak for or against a motion being put and a question being called, I have to refer to the substance of the amendment.
I will make sure, Mr. Chairman, that I do not go to the main motion. I will stick to the amendment, because that's what the question has been called on. The question is not that simple. The question cannot be considered in isolation. If you were to isolate to that degree, all our debates would be vacuous and they would either be yea or nay. Surely that's not what we want to lower democratic debate to and we do not want to shut the voices off duly elected parliamentarians.