Balisier ties on govt business

THE EDITOR: This may seem to be a petty issue but on reflection it reveals a lot about the deep-seated attitude of those with political power. Despite constant complaints from citizens, members of the ruling party continue to defy all appeals to stop wearing their balisier ties when on government business. From the Prime Minister down to the lowest, Mr Imbert, they flaunt these ties emblazoned with the symbol of their party. The fact is that elections have come and gone and are not due for a number of years. The government MP’s are now serving the entire population and not just their supporters. Unless, of course, they have already started campaigning for the next elections, which I would not put past them. After all, the PNM has always been about electioneering and winning the elections by whatever means.

It is as if the Prime Minister and his cabinet are showing the political middle finger to the opposition and its supporters. One can picture Manning at the Thursday media briefing saying something like: “Ladies and gentlemen, the ties stay whether they like it or not. The PNM can wear whatever they want and as long as I am Prime Minister, we will not bow to the wishes of anyone on the other side. Their sole purpose in life, it seems, is to oppose everything for opposing sake. And that is that.” Perhaps Manning’s good friend, the PM of St Vincent, who is in our country every week, can talk some sense into him concerning the balisier ties. After all, if the UNC were in power and they constantly wore ties with the rising sun, the furore would be humongous!

JOSELLA RAMESAR
Penal