Time for a young prime minister

Personally, I want a young person (for me, ‘youth/young’ is under 49) who is independent, bold and competent to throw my support behind come next general election, and because that criteria automatically disqualifies Barry Padarath, Stuart Young and Faris Al-Rawi, we really need someone to step up to the crease. Approximately 70 percent of our population is under 49, yet Trinbagonian youths continue to be led in the wrong direction by old folks in this new era. It was the same thing that happened with Brexit, but there is now hope and new inspiration from Paris with love.

Vive la France! Last Sunday, Emmanuel Macron became the youngest ever president of France at the age of 39, and by accomplishing this, he joined the ranks of influential youthful leaders who have successfully run some of the world’s most powerful countries.

In recent years, Matteo Renzi took control of Italy at 39, Justin Trudeau was elected to lead Canada at 43 and David Cameron, also at 43, narrowly beat an even younger opponent when he became the prime minister of the UK in 2010 to become the country’s youngest leader, a few months younger than Tony Blair. Over in America, Barack Obama started his first two terms at 47, which was still four years older than John Fitzgerald Kennedy when he was elected at 43. And regionally, a 43-year-old Andrew Holness recently became Jamaica’s youngest PM, on the heels of Barbados doing the same by electing David Thompson at 46.

By all non-partisan accounts, every one of these young leaders had, or are having, successful terms leading their respective countries. Their success stems from the fact that these young leaders have been forward- thinking and their actions have revolutionised or attempted to revolutionise their country for the better.

Some, like Renzi and Cameron, failed at properly implementing their changes and it cost them their jobs, but leaders like Blair and Obama left their citizens with a minimum wage and universal healthcare, respectively.

And of course, a young JFK stood side-by-side with Dr Martin Luther King Jr in the fight against inequality and for civil rights.

Here at home, we also have a great example of youth leadership. At the age of 45, Patrick Manning became the prime minister, making him the youngest leader we’ve had in the history of our nascent society. Whether or not one was in agreement with Manning’s politics, policies and ultimate power-trip, our country’s youngest PM was a visionary.

Just think of all the contemporary buildings and projects in Trinidad and Tobago right now — Hyatt, Government Campus Plaza, NA PA — all due to the vision of Manning. And if you still need more proof, have a look at the beautiful conceptual design for the Maracas Beach Facility.

A cursory comparison of Uncle Patos’ tenure to the terms of any other TT PMs will easily illustrate that he was a cut above the rest. Yet, for some reason, we have reverted to placing post-retirees to run our country.

The adage age brings wisdom can hardly be disputed, but in most cases, that wisdom is years behind time and does not match modern-day developments.

Despite the success of these young leaders across the globe, young Trinbagonians remain complacent. In the other places I have lived, youths are at the forefront of every protest and I have been involved in many of them, but here at home, every day it feels like I am the only young person willing to lead a revolution against this rotting status quo. I’m not saying that TT youths don’t want change; there are many out there who want to be involved, but few are independent thinkers wanting to lead.

There are too many young Trinbagonians just falling in line and becoming sycophants hoping one day to be selected for a position in government. If that’s your goal as a young person, just ask Adrian Leonce, MP for Laventille East/ Morvant, how that worked out for him. Many young people don’t understand that these older politicians only acknowledge the importance of our youth for votes, but not for governance, even if you are placed in a position. And for that one, you can ask the Minister of Tourism.

Youths are often discouraged by older politicians when they are told how dirty and hard politics is, but it really is time for a young person to act upon their social media activism and take over Trinidad and Tobago in order to restore what the older folks have destroyed. All jokes aside, the next generation is depending on us.

Jamille85@msn.com