Master stroke or error?
The Editor: It could only happen in Trinidad and Tobago - UNC MP defends PNM MP, former Cabinet Minister and Party Chairman on corruption charges related to his tenure in office. Sure it is the right of an attorney to represent who they wish and it is the right of the accused to get the attorney who can best represent his interest. But, for Gillian Lucky (Independent UNC MP - still confused as to what that really means) to join the defence team of Franklin Khan on this particular matter has to either be the biggest error of political judgement or the political master stroke of her career. Politicians tend to use the concepts of political expediency, morality and duty interchangeably and to their convenience. As we move our country towards developed nation status, an ideal the Movement for National Development fully endorses, it is imperative that we get these concepts clear in our minds so that they cannot be manipulated by the whims and fancies of politicians. The duty of a politician has to be that country is put before self and, any person who does not subscribe to that philosophy cannot be eligible to hold public office, it is that simple. The responsibility of a Member of Parliament is of national significance, MPs are the guardians of democracy and are by and large responsible for setting the legal framework in which all the citizens will be required to adhere but most importantly, the Parliament is supposed to be the place where government is made to account for their actions. Under our parliamentary system, Members of Parliament, unless holding Ministerial Office, are employed on a part time basis, in that, they are allowed to hold other jobs and carry out other professional obligations. However, these jobs are not expected to conflict with parliamentary duties and as such the holding of certain jobs makes the holders of these jobs ineligible to take up a seat in the Parliament. One expects therefore that an MP’s duties take precedence over other employment or professional commitments. This is further endorsed by the mandatory time-off that MPs are entitled to in order to fulfil their Parliamentary duties and the many perks they enjoy to assist them in the carrying out of their duty. I am bewildered by Ms Lucky’s decision to join the defence team of Franklin Khan. Garvin Nicholas Political Leader, The Movement for National Development Port-of-Spain
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"Master stroke or error?"