Politicians with tainted records

The premise on which much debate has taken place on whether Basdeo Panday should retain his substantive position or not was based on the fact that the Opposition Leader has become tainted by allegations of corruption of which he is now before the courts and by extension the party’s chances of victory at the next general elections are slim should Panday remain at the helm.

It was therefore prudent that the party attempt to present to the electorate a new image in the form of Winston Dookeran, whose character remains unblemished and honourable.

Emerging out of the battle for the position in the executive elections of the UNC are two sets of candidates. One slate is headed by Panday himself and the other has as its de facto head, the member of St Augustine, Mr Dookeran, who though has not announced a slate is ultimately associated with the slate competing against the other which was presented at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel, by Panday.

The irony of this whole exercise has now become a dichotomy of immense proportion. On one hand we have a slate headed by an individual who is before the courts in Trinidad and Tobago on serious allegations of corruptions arising out of his tenure as prime minister. On the other slate is a candidate who is vying for the position of party organiser, who is himself before the Courts.

How could the UNC present itself as a new-found image free from allegations of the past gave that have haunted the party and continue to do so, present members whose very performance in the past gave cause for the party to be embedded in such turmoil?

While there is no law preventing such persons from holding a high office I think it is incumbent on practicing politicians to recluse themselves from office until they are cleared of any charges for which they are before the courts.

According to the Chief Justice, at the ceremonial opening of the new law term, in particular reference to erring lawyers, "that the legislature should consider amending the legal profession act to permit the suspension of an attorney’s practicing certificate while he is before the courts on a criminal charge."

"It is not fair both to the public and to the professions that such a person is allowed to continue to practice his profession while at the same time he is an accused before court."

The Chief Justice continued, "I think the same rule which applies to the public and Police Service should apply to the legal profession, that is to say, when such officers are charged with offences they are usually suspended from duty."

I wish to humbly suggest that the same should apply to politicians, since the politicial role and functions are to serve the population; it is by extension, a public service.

I consider it an affront to the members of the UNC in particular and the country in general to have persons who are now before the courts on charges of corruption to offer them for another term of public office.

They should await the outcome of their legal battle if they wish to continue to serve. Until such time the UNC will have a difficult time convincing the electorate to support the party in any election.

ROBERT RAMSAMOOJ

Lange Park