Problem is our outdated constitution

THE EDITOR: Generally, I do not pay much attention to the reading of national annual budgets and presidential speeches at the opening of Parlia-ment because of the political spinning, tripping and sticking that only glorify the records of Hansard without any meaningful and sustainable charges that serve the interest of the less privileged in society. However, on this occasion, there was enough national debate on the President’s speech to arouse my attention that led me to read the address published in the media. Truth does not always fit people’s agenda and this was very clearly evident from remarks that followed the speech of the President and the prayer of Rev Cyril Paul at the recent opening of Parliament. It is my view that both the President and Rev Paul were on the same wave-length, except that Rev Paul was less guarded with his words than President George Maxwell Richards who was Prime Minister Manning’s choice to hold the office of the President. However, in the interest of truth, the President’s speech and the Reverend’s prayer were timely and most appropriate, but walking the talk is what counts as it gives life to politically correct language.

I have selected two gems from the President’s speech that stands out in the name of truth and progress that I need to share. The first is: “It could be said with justification, that after 41 years of Independence and 27 years as a Republic, it is time for change. It is time to seek new systems of governance that will be better suited to our circumstances and our times.” Well said Mr President, but new systems of governance demand constitution reform and, if it is time for change, will the President urge the Prime Minister to begin the process? The second gem is: “If our laws do not insist upon fair opportunity for all, including the differently-abled and the poor, we can hardly count upon the ability or the willingness of the people to help us achieve the targets for development that we have set ourselves.” Very true Mr President, but will he ask the Prime Minister why he is ignoring the Equal Opportunity Act that was made law in Parliament, while the Ministry of Communi-ty Development and Gender Affairs is doing public relations with “gender equality”?

What made the President’s speech statesmanlike is that he did not have the burden of selling a Vision 2020 that has not as yet explained itself and further than “first world status”, that doe snot tell us what the people’s social and economic status would be like in that distant future. A major problem in TT is that we seem unable to solve serious national issues because we do not put any meaningful thought into understanding the nature and history of a problem while we give preference to borrowing ideas and solutions from abroad. As an enlightened and talented people, we can do better to show we deserve “first world status”. However, society is so divided with tribal politics led by promising politicians that it leads one side or the other to defy reality and go with the political flow, regardless tow here it takes us as a people. The end result is that we are separated from truth that is now imprisoned by hypocrites. Crime has become our number one problem but civil society seems not to realise that criminals are opportunists who seize every opportunity as they are doing with the racial division in our society.

No divided country can reach its full potential politically or otherwise, but who is putting aside the blame game and genuinely trying to narrow the divide with policy mechanisms that will lead towards national unity. Half of society will blame Mr Manning and the other half Mr Panday, but there are only the products — like many other politicians — of a corrupt political culture and a divisive constitution. Civil society must come to grips with the truth and recognise that the fly in the ointment is our outdated Constitution that influence adversarial politics, alienates co-operation, perpetuate one man rule, belittle the role of elected members of Parliament and serves as a reflection of our third world status. Admittedly, a comprehensive overhaul of the Constitution will not be an easy task, but when will we begin the job — now, or in the year 2020?

WYCLIFFE MORRIS
Former Director of Education
NUGFW