In T&T, there are deeply disturbing issues, worrisome revelations, and untidy realities about Government, political parties, and politics. Gains are made, but a toxic environment overwhelms them.
How kindly can one describe the contending points of view between the Prime Minister and the former head of the SSA on the mission of the SSA before the scandal broke and its director was suspended and then fired?
Even if one gives the Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt, what exactly is the truth?
What can be more disturbing in this little gang-assaulted and crime-ridden country than a big hole in the national security apparatus and a threat to the State, with potential danger to peace and stability in our country? The fact that the Government is fixing it is commendable.
But does T&T remain vulnerable? In addition, the WhatsApp exchanges between Prime Minister Rowley and former commissioner of police Gary Griffith are also disturbing, both because of the Prime Minister’s alignment of interest and the tone of complicity by two holders of constitutionally defined offices and roles who are both now in the political arena as adversaries.
Not that it is wrong for the Prime Minister to have a friend or to have cordial relations with a CoP, nor that he would inquire into something to expedite bureaucratic processes for a friend, but rather the suggestion of mutual benefits shared all around and of partisan friendships.
What prompted the revelation of WhatsApp messages was an accusation by the Government that Griffith was dishing out guns to favourites. Is there not a general issue here of credibility being at stake?
The Leader of the Opposition and some of her colleagues have sought to connect the T&T Government’s collaboration with Indian businessman Naveen Jindal, charged in an Indian court with bribery of a public official, with Jindal having deep, allegedly preferential ties with Venezuelan government officials in business partnerships there. And this is now being closely, suspiciously watched, in some quarters, as the Government seeks to make decisions on a likely investor for the idle Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.
As gangs assert their power, unfettered by the police, the laws, or political power, the Opposition seems to be hamstrung by the bruising battle of the internal elections.
It is unlikely that MP Rai Ragbir ignored his chief whip without the knowledge and consent of his Patriot colleagues. The signal sent by his action may well have chastened the strategy and approach of the Opposition leader thereafter, as the parliamentary session ended.
Who can rely on whom, for what, on the opposition bench now? How can they cohere? How can credible alliances outside be built in the wake of unresolved internal party tensions?
And there may yet be police matters, DPP matters, and court matters that may arise in this charged, politically aggressive period between now and the 2025 election. There might be a credibility problem for some of the loyalists to Kamla Persad-Bisessar as well as a problem of clarity and coherence in policy for solutions to our deep-seated, more intractable problems.
The precedent suggests that the Patriots are all going to be replaced as 2025 election candidates. Will all current loyalist candidates strengthen UNC’s credibility as a solutions-capable government?
Can a unification strategy be built on this approach? The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by the Opposition, has surrendered its parliamentary and political role to the lawyers and the courts on a matter involving a constitutionally protected office that is meant to ensure integrity through effective scrutiny of the public accounts!
The affidavit sworn by the Minister of Finance to justify his stance on wages for public servants begs for a case to be made against the minister for misleading the House of Representatives in his various contributions to the financial health and performance of the economy.
Strong news from Shell on Manatee and the announcement of dedicated action on Tobago crime are wonderful. But objectively, are we not in a sorry state?