CONSTITUTION REFORM

Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s recent, publicly voiced refusal to agree to the Opposition United National Congress’ main plank in its call for constitution reform, proportional representation [PR], even in advance on talks for reform, was at best undiplomatic.

Admittedly, his latest dismissal of proportional representation was made on Saturday, while addressing the People’s National Movement Convention, in his capacity as Political Leader, but he had earlier shot down the UNC’s call at a Press Conference called as Prime Minister. Manning is entitled to his views on constitution reform. However, in dealing with such an important issue he should seek to create the impression, particularly as he is Prime Minister, that he and his Government are prepared to approach any discussions on the matter, objectively. He should remember that when he speaks on constitution reform he would be perceived as speaking as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and voicing the official position of the country’s Government. As far as we are aware, there has been no official indication that constitution talks have been decided upon, and mechanisms set in train for their being held. We accept, nonetheless, from Manning’s statement at his Party’s Convention, that constitution reform could not be avoided, and the PNM “welcomes that critical development”, that they would be held. But even before constitution reform talks could begin, what Manning has said in effect is that his Government would not be prepared to entertain the United National Congress’ already declared main plank on reform.

We have severe reservations with respect to proportional representation. We have seen how it has polarised the two major ethnic groups of fellow CARICOM country, Guyana. But what we are dealing here is not the merits and/or demerits of proportional representation. Instead, it is the principle of whether or not the Administration should telegraph that it is prepared to approach the question of constitution reform, or for that matter any other crucial national issue, with a closed mind. There was an expressed lack of tact that is disturbing. It would have been better had Manning when he had earlier dismissed outright the issue of proportional representation, limited himself to the comment he would make last Saturday that the Party was very wary of the system. The Prime Minister has, however unwittingly, made it easy for the leadership of the United National Congress to claim that the Government, read ruling Party, is not interested either in its proposals for constitution reform, or constitution reform per se.