Cupid and the politicians

Except for the few who knew him personally and were aware of his three children borne by his two previous wives, most could not associate Williams, then Premier of Trinidad and Tobago, with romance. He was the “doctor”, the brilliant academic and scholar who had entered politics and was taking Trinidad and Tobago from a crown colony to independence. But not even the great man could resist Cupid’s arrow and the romantic side of Williams was revealed when he started sending flowers regularly to Mayleen even though his marriage to her remained a mystery to the day of their deaths.

For one thing they continued after the marriage to live separately in their own homes and were never seen together in public. Since then Cupid has been relatively quiet on the political scene — until recently when he turned his attention to our Parliament, sending no fewer than seven members of the current Assembly to tie the knot in marriage.

Appropriately enough this parliamentary session, first on the order paper was Mr Speaker himself. Wade Mark and Sushilla Ramkisoon got married in July 2012, and already have a bouncing baby boy, Vladimir Rajiv Wade.

Cupid has not been partisan at all. If any one called for a Division of how the counting went it would show that four MPs on the Government side have said “Aye” and two on the Opposition bench have also promised to love and cherish till death do they part. For the Government are the following: MP for Oropouche West, Stacy Roopnarine who married Damien Lyder in August 2012. Senator Devant Maharaj, Minister of Food Production, wed Kristal Ramroopsingh in June 2013. Senator Embau Moheni wed Tempu Nefertari also in June 2013. Dr Glen Ramadharsingh, Minister of the People wed Arlene Maharaj this month.

For the Opposition: Senator Shamfa Cudjoe of Tobago wed Mervyn Cow in December last. Dr Amery Browne, MP for Diego Martin Central wed Sara Ali, also in December 2012 and they are expecting a baby this year.

Trinidad and Tobago however, can lay no exclusive claim to romance when it comes to those holding political office. Present Prime Minister of Britain David Cameron and his wife Samantha had a baby while at 10 Downing Street. So did his predecessor Tony Blair and his wife Cherrie.

In France, former President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni got married while he was in office and had a baby too.

Across the pond in the USA, John and Jacqueline Kennedy had a son while at the White House.

But the last word is left for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, who reigns supreme. She had two babies with her husband, Prince Philip, before her reign began and two during her reign.

As ever, Cupid shows no favourites. He can strike anyone at anytime.