PNM slams Panday’s morality stand

THE ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) yesterday strongly condemned recent statements attributed to Opposition UNC leader Basdeo Panday that “politics has a morality of its own.” A resolution to that effect was unanimously passed at the PNM General Council meeting held at the Mt Irvine Hotel in Tobago. Addressing a media conference which followed, Prime Minister and PNM Political Leader, Patrick Manning reported: “the General Council this morning approved a resolution condemning in the strongest possible terms the political philosophy that politics has its own morality, and that if one wishes to hold on to one’s professional integrity one ought to leave politics.”

Manning said that in condemning that philosophy, the General Council noted that “morality in public affairs” was one of the principles upon which the party was founded 49 years ago. “And we reaffirmed our commitment to that principle, recognising that it was as relevant today as it was in 1956, and indeed recent developments tell us that it is even more relevant today than it was then,” he said. Manning referred to what he described as the “airport fiasco,” in which he claimed an airport was built at the cost of three airports in the recent past — “We recognised that!  We recognised that such a philosophy leads to taking one position today and a different position tomorrow; and we recall the ‘Crowne Plaza accord’ as between the PNM and the UNC, where the UNC agreed to the Crowne Plaza accord, they signed it, and two days later repudiated it,” noted Manning.

“We now understand how easy it is for them to be able to do that, because they subscribe to the philosophy that ‘politics has its own morality.’ We also begin to understand much better how easy it is for politicians on that side to effectively dip their hands in the public purse and to walk away with clear consciences because, you see, they have done nothing wrong; it is consistent with their own philosophy that politics has its own morality”. Manning said the PNM took the opportunity to condemn the philosophy at the General Council meeting in Tobago and made it clear that the party does not subscribe to such a philosophy.

“It (philosophy) has no place in the politics of our country!” he declared. He added that the PNM also reaffirmed its view that “politics must not be the pursuit of fame and power and fortune, but that a political existence is the pursuit of service to those who elected us.” He said the resolution was moved by the party’s Youth League and seconded by the Women’s League. It was adopted unanimously at the General Council meeting which saw an attendance of some 150 persons, he reported. This was one of two resolutions so approved. The other dealt with the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago, in which the PNM via the General Council “recommitted” itself to “increased authority for the people of Tobago within the governance of the party and the country.”

This motion was moved by Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary and PNM Deputy Political Leader with responsibility for Tobago Affairs, Orville London. London reported that the resolution was moved following a statement of reassurance to that effect by Manning. “And when one considered the level of enthusiasm and unanimity with which the resolution was greeted, I think that we should feel comfortable that our brothers and sisters within the PNM throughout the country are committed to a Tobago that has the relevant degree of autonomy within the unitary state of Trinidad and Tobago, and that I think should inspire confidence among all of us,” he added.