Friday March 12th, 2010
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Cracking the UNC Whip
Published: 30 Jan 2010
Luckily for PNM House leader Colm Imbert the rules of the House of Representatives do not allow MPs to eat in the Parliament chamber during proceedings. And Imbert may also be thankful that UNC MP Jack Warner got a new job as UNC chief whip yesterday. If not, Imbert may have been forced by UNC MPs to eat his words when Imbert—during last month’s property tax debate—had told UNC’s Kamla Persad-Bissessar that her colleague Basdeo Panday would give her a “licking” in the UNC’s January 24 election. It is now history that Imbert’s “prediction” was wrong. But yesterday’s drama in the House when Persad-Bissessar got cracking—appointing Warner as chief whip—distracted sufficiently from Imbert enough to save him from any eating (of words or otherwise). The many ironies of the historic January 24 routing saw Panday outfoxed by (some of) his own, but intent on battling (still) in his remaining two years as Couva North MP.
Setting the scene for shifting ground ahead in local politics. With a new inexperienced executive largely comprising people who do not sit in Parliament (as the previous team did), simmering internal issues and the ruling PNM girding for offensive, the task before Persad-Bissessar’s UNC is large and the time in which to do it is small. Presenting a substantial challenge. The PNM is already moving in the current gap, undertaking walkabouts in Opposition seats—including Panday’s on Monday—to take advantage of an Opposi- tion struggling to regroup after a bruising election and bloodletting expected to continue. Indeed, the fallout on the UNC side from the surprise of Warner’s appointment yesterday was so obvious that Manning was comfortable enough to have been as generous with his comments (mid-debate) about Panday and Persad-Bissessar.
Jeopardising her support?
Persad-Bissessar’s appointment of Warner has swiftly proclaimed her authority, further putting the squeeze on Panday psychologically—and literally—where House seating was concerned. Fifa vice-president Warner, a workaholic, might waste no time in cracking the whip to whip the UNC into shape as an attractive political investment. However, he may have to juggle duties with this year’s World Cup work and—with limited Parliamentary experience—may require a crash course in procedures. His appointment may, as well, have repercussions on Persad-Bissessar’s bid to become Opposition Leader where some MPs are concerned. Today’s situation is a far cry from 2006 when she was made Opposition Leader—over then UNC leader Winston Dookeran—with Panday’s sanction and Warner’s assistance. Persad-Bissessar now requires the support of seven of the UNC’s 15 MPs for the post.
The UNC’s new executive on Wednesday had proposed writing MPs recommending that they support her for Opposition Leader, an executive spokesman said Thursday. However Persad-Bissessar, who recused herself from discussions, subsequently asked to be given a chance to speak to her fellow MPs before the letters were sent, they added. She was given until yesterday’s House session to do this, the spokesman added. Supporting her are MPs Warner, Winston Peters, Harry Partap and Nizam Baksh. Holding the balance of power are MPs who (like Partap) signed a letter of support for Panday before the campaign: Chandresh Shar-ma, Tim Gopeesingh, Roodal Moonilal and the ill Hamza Ra-feeq.The leader of at least one religious organisation confirmed yesterday to TG that similar groups have recommended to some MPs to support Persad-Bissessar for the post.
MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, who had vowed to allow Panday to remain as Opposition Leader if Maharaj won, subsequently said he would work with the new executive. But Moonilal, Bharath and other MPs yesterday commented adversely on the way Warner was appointed and the ill Rafeeq was replaced
And Panday is not expected to be deserted by his brother Subhas, daughter Mikela or MP Kelvin Ramnath. While Persad-Bissessar’s executive met Wednesday, no parliamentary caucus was held, save for an informal meeting on Monday at Panday’s Opposition office involving three other MPs where preparations for yesterday’s House were made. MPs supporting Persad-Bissessar were absent. However, matters decided upon at that meeting were voided by Persad-Bissessar’s appointment of Warner. If cleared as Opposition Leader, Persad-Bissessar’s attention may next fall on the UNC’s Senate team which could also see changes, executive officials said Thursday.
New deputy leader Suruj Rambachan is tipped for the Senate where Panday’s promise to place him last year remains unfulfilled to date, after Rambachan was ousted as Chaguanas mayor. However there are question marks over the continued status of Senator Wade Mark, who had criticised Lyndira Oudit—now deputy leader—during the campaign and Panday stalwart MF Rahaman, who also criticised Persad-Bissessar and Oudit. Similarly, there are questions over who will make the “cut” (or not) in the new administration’s choices for expected local government polls. The new dispensation’s ties with the COP—if this is deepened —is expected to manifest there.
Foes or friends
The 21-member Persad-Bissessar executive (eight women aboard) includes four former Ramjack officials—Warner, Sylvester Ramquar, Don Sylvester, and Rupert Griffith. The seasoned players are Persad-Bissessar, the ex-Ramjackers, deputy leaders Moonilal and Suruj Rambachan, vice chairman Fuad Khan, education officer Daphne Phillips, and women’s affairs officer Jennifer Kernahan. The distance which Persad-Bissessar and Warner attempted to portray between them during the campaign fell away in victory with Warner as conspicuously at Persad-Bissessar’s side as he had been at the side of Chaguanas Mayor Natasha Navas, who had had Warner’s backing in ousting Rambachan as mayor. At that time Warner had tele-graphed that Panday was “next.” In the six months it took for that prediction to be fulfilled, the situation has now seen Rambachan become part of the new UNC executive chaired by Warner.
Rambachan, who left for Miami (on business he said) right after the UNC election, missed sitting alongside Warner for the new executive’s first meeting. Asked how he would work with the man whose protege ousted him in Chaguanas—and considering his recent declaration that he’d never trust Warner—Rambachan replied: “People will have to earn my trust. I’ll demonstrate my trustworthiness and they will have to show theirs and I’ll operate as any professional would. If we all have a clear idea and cause and focus on coalescing and agree on common value there should be no problem.” Policy officer Colin Partap, one of those who clashed—literally—with the Ramjack group during the March 23, 2009, melee at Rienzi Complex during a Congress, will also have to work alongside Warner. Partap, son of MP Partap, had coined the term “Ramjack.”
‘UNCOP’—new entity
Persad-Bissessar’s elevation to leader was achieved on the basis—apart from other factors—that she represented the hope for unification of UNC and COP forces and the change from Opposition to Government some anticipate could spring from that. Marketed on that basis therefore, not only will she be held to her political promises, but particularly on unity expectations. While COP leader Winston Dookeran has made positive noises about talks with Persad-Bissessar, on Thursday he opted to “let the people decide” (sic) when asked about her heading a united opposition. With Persad-Bissessar’s political star now in ascendency, however, Dookeran (and COP’s) stocks may be limited. Robin Montano is among several COP foundation members who warn the situation could destroy both. One COP official added, “The 100,000 UNC members who left and helped form COP did so because of disenchantment with Panday.
“They had supported UNC members like Manohar Ramsaran, Ganga Singh, Gillian Lucky. “Now Panday is gone and they’ve found themselves uncomfortable in a COP headed by people who were never in UNC— Robert Mayers, Wendy Lee Yuen, Lincoln Douglas, Timothy Hamel-Smith more seen as ONR/ NAR types—so these members may flow back to the UNC. “The only COP person who has bonded with them is Prakash Ramdhar.” The COP will hope to stem that flow before it becomes weakened, mitigating against negotiation for equality in a power-sharing arrangement. Indeed, UNC MP Nizam Baksh, who supports Persad-Bissessar, says the UNC should “open up membership to COP to see what flows in, strengthening UNC’s base” rather than negotiate with the COP. Baksh added, “If you listen to COP people, they also have issues in that party so we should welcome those who want to return to UNC’s new leader.”
COP’s Gerald Yetming believes Persad-Bissessar will be “allowed” to lead a united opposition. So high are hopes that COP foundation members Gary Griffith and John Humphrey have discussed a UNC/COP unity symbol done by Humphrey—who designed the UNC’s Rising Sun symbol. Griffith said, “The parties may not need to disband or consume one another to work together. They need to keep their identity or else there might be repercussions for one or another.” Humphrey added, “Winston says COP is the natural home of everyone and if the UNC is the home of some, a combination of them both should be home for all T&T. “Therefore the symbol I designed is a combination of this—the United National Congress of the People (UNCOP).
“The symbol was a natural progression from the UNC’s Rising Sun to a UNCOP’s sun which is fully risen on high. This is now the time for what the late Lloyd Best recommended—a party of parties under one umbrella in a pre-election coalition and later a coalition government.” Humphrey said, “This will capture the spirit of 1986 and is better. “If we’d had done this then, NAR would have still been in office.” Certain senior foundation COP officials (former ministers) hesitated Thursday when asked about Persad-Bissessar’s ability to lead a government. “If she has a strong, experienced team—and there are good resources in the COP and UNC—then it can work,” was the view.
Ms. Gail Alexander -
Ms. Gail Alexander - Excellent commentary.
Electing to address facts rather than go the bias or emotional routes showed throughout your column. You researched your subject and concentrated on each segment with the care it deserved. Thats a good thing.
Many have already written off the new Leader of the UNC, without giving her a chance to prove her worth. Not a good thing.
The new direction the UNC Party will be taking is not an easy road as there will be many hurdles to jumps over. Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as Leader, will be challenged at every turn, as she will not be given a free pass by either her supporters or her detractors.
Whether we are honest with ourselves or not, the fact that this new Leader is a 'woman' will always remain the 'monkey on her back' with some questioning her every move, more so than they would a 'man'. Politics has been seen as a male dominated field. Women are fully aware of the 'games' being played and have to work around the systemic barriers to take their seats in the front row too.
Our country is in dire need of new directions, and Mrs. Kamla and her team will no doubt have their work cut out for them. How she manages her team, leading the way with her new and old - including unity with outside forces - may determine her successes or failures. Already we are seeing the slings and arrows coming her way, free and flowing, and by all accounts will be a constant for her to deal with.
However, I have confidence in her Leadership, and her management skills, that may so far have been 'silent', will be put into play.
We have to keep close watch on how this new Leader conducts her business and how successful her mediation and negotiation skills will be for her, and ultimately the country.
Gardenia
johnjames writes>>>> a very
johnjames writes>>>> a very important view from several nationals of various ethnic backgrounds of T&T!!!
I agree with Patrick. To expound further, the COP was founded on a philosophy to change the colonial socio-political order which has enslaved the masses for far too long. The philosophy of the COP is to engineer a politics of nationhood rather than statehood (PNM) and victimhood (UNC). Some individuals keep fostering the illusion that COP members who were once UNC supporters will be going back 'home' in a massive exodus. These individuals are trumpeting such misconstructions because it serves their narrow personal, opportunistic agendas. Such misconstructions are being lapped up by some elements of the media who fail to scientifically analyze the politics.
We must realize that the advent of the philosophy of the COP was on February 19th 2006 at Mid Centre Mall when the then Political Leader of the UNC, Mr. Winston Dookeran made his historical speech that highlighted his vision for a new socio-political order in Trinidad and Tobago. After months of struggling for this change with UNC and non-UNC supporters , with this new vision - On September 10th 2006, Mr. Dookeran got the mandate to form a new political movement with the aim of engineering change. It is in this regard that I can categorically say that the advent of the COP under the leadership of Mr. Winston Dookeran and his team can be considered the catalyst of the changing paradigm of the political order in Trinbago and has therefore paved the way, particularly over the past four years, for Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar’s victory.
The COP has been able to attract thousands of Trinbagonians who subscribe to a new socio-political order and many of whom either never subscribed to statehood and victimhood type politics. This constituency of people is quite large – so even though we must expect some slippage or leakage back to the UNC which has been fuelled largely by the emotional euphoria of the internal election – there is still a large number of COP supporters who will remain and continue to subscribe to the philosophy of building nationhood.
That being said, Kamla Persad Bissessar has her work cut out for her. She has to somehow purge the UNC of the filthy stench of a reputation for corruption, bacchanal and a lack of ethnic diversity. If such is done then they can become far more attractive to those north of the Caroni bridge and make their support sustainable before they can be trusted in any political alliance, amalgamation or whatever configuration of ‘unity’ that may be established in the future. One word of advice to those in the UNC camp: please desist from advising COP members to come ‘home’, this only serves to relegate any UNC call for dialogue on ‘unity’ to a farce.
So to those who continue to be intellectually dishonest in promoting the hyperbolic illusion that the COP has become irrelevant, think again.
johnjames johnjames writes>>
johnjames
johnjames writes>> who are the Troops?? >> the well equipped Israeli type army/police with highly sophisticated automatic machine guns/weapons to wipe out the citizens of T&T>???? so you see >> it's not the foot soldiers only!!!Pathos is quaking!! He wants to hold on to that$300,000,000.00 mansion/palace jump high,jump low!!!!Pathos was told by agents as Fairyboy et al that the movement for change is growing widespread & is increasing exponentially & that even though he has gerrymandered the electoral boundaries & padded the marginal seats with National Housing combined with free handout to CECEP/URP & "community Leaders" like Fairyboy/RyanR,Sarstep/nuvoalfa/Ideas/mikesamual/todebone etc>>>all the same person!! (he writes & contradicts one another/each other to disguise his identity)-to fool the naive!!! that they are in for a real fight!! Pathos wants to take as much out of OUR TREASURY as soon as possible & stash it away in offshore Accounts /Real Estate in Costa Rica,Panama,Miami,Canada,Germany,France etc
Are we going to see that there's nothing for our future generations?? We,who are blogging now, shall die & we have to see that Pathos do not rape our treasury anymore!!
johnjames>>>> Hot off the
Submitted by johnjames on 31 January 2010 -
johnjames>>>> Hot off the Press>>> not my views BUT of T&T nationals>>>
I agree with Patrick. To expound further, the COP was founded on a philosophy to change the colonial socio-political order which has enslaved the masses for far too long. The philosophy of the COP is to engineer a politics of nationhood rather than statehood (PNM) and victimhood (UNC). Some individuals keep fostering the illusion that COP members who were once UNC supporters will be going back 'home' in a massive exodus. These individuals are trumpeting such misconstructions because it serves their narrow personal, opportunistic agendas. Such misconstructions are being lapped up by some elements of the media who fail to scientifically analyze the politics.
We must realize that the advent of the philosophy of the COP was on February 19th 2006 at Mid Centre Mall when the then Political Leader of the UNC, Mr. Winston Dookeran made his historical speech that highlighted his vision for a new socio-political order in Trinidad and Tobago. After months of struggling for this change with UNC and non-UNC supporters , with this new vision - On September 10th 2006, Mr. Dookeran got the mandate to form a new political movement with the aim of engineering change. It is in this regard that I can categorically say that the advent of the COP under the leadership of Mr. Winston Dookeran and his team can be considered the catalyst of the changing paradigm of the political order in Trinbago and has therefore paved the way, particularly over the past four years, for Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar’s victory.
The COP has been able to attract thousands of Trinbagonians who subscribe to a new socio-political order and many of whom either never subscribed to statehood and victimhood type politics. This constituency of people is quite large – so even though we must expect some slippage or leakage back to the UNC which has been fuelled largely by the emotional euphoria of the internal election – there is still a large number of COP supporters who will remain and continue to subscribe to the philosophy of building nationhood.
That being said, Kamla Persad Bissessar has her work cut out for her. She has to somehow purge the UNC of the filthy stench of a reputation for corruption, bacchanal and a lack of ethnic diversity. If such is done then they can become far more attractive to those north of the Caroni bridge and make their support sustainable before they can be trusted in any political alliance, amalgamation or whatever configuration of ‘unity’ that may be established in the future. One word of advice to those in the UNC camp: please desist from advising COP members to come ‘home’, this only serves to relegate any UNC call for dialogue on ‘unity’ to a farce.
So to those who continue to be intellectually dishonest in promoting the hyperbolic illusion that the COP has become irrelevant, think again.
johnjames >>> this is from a person who suffered from the pnm regime!!! crying for help for our entire nation!! unedited version!!
My dear Mr. Warner,
It is now full public knowledge that you are one of the most powerful,influencial and feared politicla figure in TnT.
What you have done to both Dr. Rambachan and the Lion, was only a deam of many.
Unfortunately you are the envy and target of many,seeking to discredit and destroy.
It is because of your leadership,vision and ability to generate results like initiating the actual transformation of the UNC.
This has given so much hopes of a better and safer TnT .
I personally is far less deserious of migrating but to remain and fight with you and this I'll do.
( will fulfil my business visa conditions to the US to open a door for my boys )
I 'm so proud and grateful for knowing one of the finest humanbeing God could have ever made.
We don't have a Obama in Trinidad but the United States have a Jack Warner in the form of President Obama.
Be safe and May the good lord continue to bless you and give you long life .
You're a ray of hope.
johnjames claims nothing!!!
Submitted by johnjames on 31 January 2010 - 3:54am.
johnjames claims nothing!!! this is another T&T resident sreaking!!!
Kamla won her position with 13,493 votes so why does she have to beg for her prize? Where is the sense of justice and fair play of those who sit in the exalted position of Members of Parliament, as our representatives in government, who have chosen to give her prize to the loser Mr Panday who could only gather 1,359 votes.
I say they are dogs in jackets and ties, and an embarrassment of the title Member of Parliament. It shows their corrupt minds to deprive someone who is deserving of the prize, to give it to someone who was rejected by so many. I do not think they can be trusted as representatives of anything, perhaps not even of their own self interest. Do they really think that Panday would rise from his political grave and give them back their seats in Parliament. Hell man, he not even sure to get back his seat, or win it on his own merit if he does, whatever brave face he puts up as an actor, to fool them. Look at the votes he got in his own constituency 137:721.
Now they are saying that they would have given it to Kamla this weekend, but they have decided not too since she appointed Jack Warner as Chief Whip. Whom are they trying to fool?? Why did they not say this when she contacted them?
The truth of the matter is she consulted each one of them who chose to answer her calls, as to whom they suggested should be the Chief Whip.
Rudy, Tim and Vasant each tried to bargain with her that they will try to get the others to support her for Opposition Leader, if !, if !!, if she appointed them the Chief Whip. Those dogs trying to back bite each other and bargain with her for the Chief Whip.
None said they are supporting her, or would be supporting her this weekend. So why should she appoint anyone who is not supporting her to this important position. She has to appoint someone who is supporting her as Chief Whip, and Jack has come out in full support of her. The others with her supported him.
If the MPs who do not support her position changes, then perhaps there is room for her position to change also, since she can appoint and re-appoint whomever and whenever she wishes. But until then it can only be assumed that they have decided to become members of Panday’s new party, waiting on the fringes for her to make a fatal slip.
There is no doubt that they will now try to project ‘Jack as the Chief Whip’ as that fatal slip. I think they are deadly afraid of Jack, since he puts his money and 100% of his energy where his mouth is.
He talks the talk, and walks the talk. Unlike them who took an oath to represent the people, and has now reneged on that agreement.
POLITICAL PROCESS CORRUPT
POLITICAL PROCESS CORRUPT -
Anyone who does not want to start with the premise that our Political Process is CORRUPT is doing the country a disservice and only paying lip service. The mere fact that financiers can buy a political party and subvert the democratic process is the equivalent of a COUP de TAIT. It is a financial way of doing what the Jamat did. T&T being a land of HYPOCRISY and DOUBLE STANDARDS I suppose we have grown accustomed to this. We will complain about tainted politicians but support a religion where boys are sodomized. We will jail someone who steals a tin of sardines in a grocery but dismiss quietly and give a recommendation to someone who steals thousands in a bank. Many talk about a 10 to 1 result in the UNC elections but none would venture into the 10 to 1 spending on the respective candidates. But in our land of HYPOCRISY and DOUBLE STANDARDS this is the norm. As a nation we have a split personality. Until we change the CORRUPT POLITICAL PROCESS we will only get CORRUPT POLITICIANS. Is there a limit on the amount to be spent on elections? Who is operating within the law? People get the CORRUPT GOVERNMENT they deserve.
OBAMA’S CONCERNS (January
OBAMA’S CONCERNS
(January 30, 2010) – President Obama’s State of the Union Address on January 27 featured a rare confrontation between two branches of American government.
The president called out the Supreme Court for their recent decision in the case of Citizens United vs. FEC, which overturned two precedents and allowed corporate financing in political campaigns.
In a detour from his prepared speech, the president said, “With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that, I believe, will open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations, to spend without limit in our elections.”
“I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests or, worse, by foreign entities,” he continued. “They should be decided by the American people. And I urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps correct some of these problems.”