Corruption affecting UNC, PNM

THERE is growing general disillusionment with the two major political parties — UNC and PNM — on the issue of corruption. This is one of the conclusions  contained in a report done by UNC MP Winston Dookeran. The 12-page report which pointed the way forward for the UNC, was titled “An Agenda for Transformation” and was presented at a party retreat, at which the results of the local government election were analysed. Dookeran stated that while the perception was that the UNC faced allegations of corruption while in office, the PNM was “gradually becoming the focus of similar allegations.” “The result is a growing disillusionment...The situation provides fertile ground for the emergence of a new political thrust with a clear mandate and a firm and tangible conviction to the ideals of morality and integrity in public life,” he said.

Dookeran stated that trust in the political party must be restored as the UNC contemplated the new structure and institutions of the transformed party. “We must be mindful that trust must be based on reality and perception and a firm unwavering commitment to integrity in public affairs,” he stated. He added that “getting the politics right” also involved building a system of political representation that would go beyond the “divides,” be it ethnic, religious, regional or class and to uphold a truly national ethos based on performance and delivery. Noting that nation states exist to deliver political goods-security, education, health services, economic opportunity, social mobility, a healthy environment and a legal framework of order and a judicial system, Dookeran charged that in the time since December 24, 2001 (with the accession of the PNM to office), the Government had compromised itself in every one of these sectors. “There has been no equal opportunity at any level,” he asserted. He added: “Our policy framework must therefore be redeveloped in a manner that commits us to delivering political goods efficiently, equitable and transparently.”

On the issue of “national unification,”  Dookeran said the UNC would need structures and systems for a process of re-socialisation to dispel suspicions that exist in the politics of the country. “The two major races act out of fear of domination by one over the other,” he noted. Dookeran stated that the party had to involve the young people in the society in the “creation of a new foundation stone,” since they were generally characterised out of the box thinkers, idealists and morally and ethically upstanding. Saying that the leadership structure must represent the equal opportunity belief, the St Augustine MP said that the young, at any level in the society must believe that they can one day assume leadership. “The young have a desire for leadership, but they see the current process of leadership selection as based on being part of the right clique. We cannot maintain youth support if leadership is seen as prosperity,” he said.

He suggested as a strategy to involve the young people in participating in the political process, the establishment of a Youth Conference that will develop and assist in implementing a national agenda. “We should also seek to increase our access to the University system to encourage the young thinkers to participate and become a part of our movement,” he stressed. Dookeran emphasised that the party must also consider strategies to engage the public in its processes of policy formulation and governance. “The UNC must be seen as a party that encourages free thinking and open discussion and new ideas, internally and externally,” the St Augustine MP stated.