Jensen La Vende
Senior Reporter
jensen.lavende@guardian.co.tt
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander yesterday hit back at his predecessor and MP for Lopinot/Arouca Marvin Gonzales for calling him “duncey”, urging youngsters not to give up if they are being mocked for struggling with something new.
He responded to the criticism he received about his first contribution to Parliament while speaking during the debate to Adopt the Standing Finance Committee Report.
Gonzales, at a meeting in Tobago last week, poked fun at Alexander for struggling to deliver his address in Parliament on April 19 without stumbling or awkward pauses, saying it was hard for many to listen to.
Gonzales even said that Alexandert's reading skills were an embarrassment to the country's first prime minister Dr Eric Williams.
Gonzales said: “Dr Eric Williams did not die for that. (Former education minister) Nyan Gadsby-Dolly didn’t go into political battle for that. PNM education where we put and invested billions of dollars to produce someone like Roger Alexander?”
However, yesterday Alexander countered.
“He said I was duncey, Mr Speaker. To me, duncey is knowing rain is about to fall in June and you fail to clean the waterways and cause the place to flood."
As his colleagues thumped their desks in agreement, Alexander added: “I would like my Prime Minister to explain this dunceness to me. Dunceness is calling early election and getting licks. I think the worst of all is Friday before the elections, calling in persons, everybody come, employment for all, and then on Monday you are no longer in office.”
Alexander, not wanting to let up, recalled Gonzales’ time as a police officer saying he was called “Just wouldn’t” as he "just wouldn’t show up to work, just wouldn’t take reports." But before the Tunapuna MP could continue he was stopped as Gonzales himself objected to his contribution.
After being allowed to continue, Alexander took the time to use himself as an example saying he wished the children in the chamber were still present to hear his encouragement for themselves.
“To all boys and girls of this nation whenever or if ever you struggle or struggle with a situation, whether it is for studies, a new subject, or a new position and you're being commented on and laughed at, don’t give up! Keep going, have confidence in yourself and achieve your goal.”
Alexander said he and the United National Congress Government were a team of winners and hoped that Dr Williams was now proud after the People's National Movement was beaten at the poll on April 28.