Panday’s sacrifice

The question arises because the Leader of the Opposition dispenses considerable political power and enjoys tremendous financial advantage (which includes monthly cash receipts amounting to approximately $30,000). Vacating the office of Leader of the Opposition involves tremendous political and financial sacrifices for the incumbent, whomever he/she may be.

A review of the Constitution shows that the Opposition Leader has the power to advise the President on the appointment of six senators. In addition to this, the Constitution compels the President to consult the Opposition Leader before he makes certain key appointments. A far from exhaustive list of the appointments for offices on which he must be consulted by the President includes: the members of the Public Service, Teaching Service and Police Service Commissions, the Chief Justice, the Ombudsman, members of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and members of the Integrity Commission.

There are also financial benefits that are attached specifically to the Leader of the Opposition which Panday, should he yield to Dookeran, the incoming UNC Political Leader, would have to forego.

The financial perks include:

a) a salary of $17,000 a month

b) a housing allowance of $8,000 per month

c) a transportation allowance of $3,500 per month

d) payment of the phone bill at the office holder’s private residence.

e) it is also understood that the Opposition Leader is provided with a cellphone paid for and maintained by the Parliament.

f) a personal chauffeur

g) a subsistence package which includes an unaccountable allowance of $750 per month; entitlement to the cost of accommodation and meals in the event that the office holder is required to stay overnight as a result of late Parliament sittings, provided he lives beyond a 16-kilometre radius from Port-of-Spain (which would apply to Panday); travel to Tobago on official business; travel/accommodation expenses incurred by the spouse of the office holder in Trinidad and Tobago when attending official functions; US$50 per day when travelling abroad on official business.

h) expenses incurred for official entertainment

i) official stationery and entitlement to free postage within Trinidad and Tobago.

Furthermore the Leader of the Opposition is provided with an office staffed with 13 persons of his choice. Some of these positions include legal counsel, senior economist, senior research officer, communications specialist, librarian, driver, executive assistant and office aide.

There are of course some benefits which the Opposition Leader shares with all MPs without portfolio, such as a car loan ($200,000 for the Opposition Leader, $180,000 for MPs without portfolio) at concessionary interest rates, exemption from motor vehicle taxes, VAT and custom duties for any new motor vehicle, a loan to cover motor vehicle insurance and a loan to effect repairs to his motor vehicle.

The Opposition Leader, like any MP, is also entitled to a constituency allowance of approximately $21,000 to pay staff and for expenses such as electricity, telephone and other expenses.

So, the question remains, will Panday go all the way and surrender the post of Opposition Leader?

Given the political benefits that are bestowed on the holder of the office, it would be particularly difficult for Panday who has grown accustomed to wielding and exercising this political power and influence, to relinquish to Dookeran or to anyone for that matter. And most people would find it very difficult to give up the financial perks derived from the office.

Panday’s most recent response when asked the question gives the strongest indication of what he would do.

When asked at the presentation of his slate of candidates on Friday whether he would voluntarily hand over the Opposition Leader title to Dookeran, Panday replied that the election of an Executive (which includes a new Political Leader) in accordance with the UNC constitution, had absolutely nothing to do with the position of Opposition Leader, which was determined by the majority of Opposition Members in the House of Representatives, in accordance with the national Constitution.