Panday unimpressed by PNM constitutional team

OPPOSITION LEADER Basdeo Panday appeared to be unimpressed by the PNM’s decision to  create a team to look at issues pertaining to constitutional reform in Trinidad and Tobago. At last Sunday’s post-PNM General Council news conference at Balisier House, PNM chairman Franklyn Khan announced the establishment of the team which will be chaired by PNM vice-chairman John Donaldson. Khan said the team would not include any members of the Government.

Informed of this development yesterday, Panday seemed to be unimpressed and reiterated that constitutional reform in TT can only be achieved through the right process. Panday said this was the underlying point which both he and Prime Minister Patrick Manning agreed on. He stated that the process may involve changes to certain sections of the constitution or even throwing the entire constitution out the window. However, Panday said it was important that the proper formula be found to achieve constitutional reform and the public must be invited to give their input. Last month, the Prime Minister and Panday held constitutional reform talks at Whitehall. After that meeting, both men said their discussions were exploratory and did not tackle any of the substantial issues pertaining to constitutional reform. Manning and Panday said they would meet again. To date, no follow-up meeting has been scheduled.