Rambachan should succeed Panday

THE EDITOR: We have in recent times heard the call on many occasions for the resignation of Mr Panday as leader of the UNC. Perhaps it should not be forgotten that in politics this is a frequent occurrence. On the last occasion when Mr Manning failed to win the government of this country there were many calls for an end to his leadership of the PNM. It seems that some people just have to be on the winning side whatever the cost. Mr Yetming should take note. There is, however one complaint I must make against Mr Panday, he hasn’t appeared to have made much of an effort to groom a successor and I cannot for the life of me understand why — after all he is the one who has said repeatedly it is time for him to go. May I at this point suggest to UNC members that Mr Suruj Rambachan (and I hope he is willing) be seriously considered for the post — this gentleman has demonstrated on several occasions his suitability for leadership with both his intelligence and personality. I can think of few others in his league and surely Mr Rambachan has not been forgotten by Mr Panday, who has always had a keen eye for talent.

As for that nonsense about the UNC not being interested in constitutional reform when it was in government, there was no need. People seem to forget (conveniently) that Mr Panday invited members of the PNM to serve in a Government of National Unity — reform was obviously not a necessity at that time. The situation now is quite different, for I have not seen Mr Manning extending any such invitation to UNC people to serve on his cabinet. Constitutional reform should be a priority at this time — the UNC in the last few years has demonstrated its ability to command a very large number of votes in both general and local government elections, and should be permitted some voice in the administration of this country, and if withholding its support for major items like the Caribbean Court of Justice will achieve this end, then so be it.

JEREMY BOYD
Gulf View