London would serve country better in Senate

It has now been announced that London is to be the next high commissioner of TT at the Court of St James (coincidentally) in London. I wish London well in his new appointment — an appointment somewhat different from those to which he would have been accustomed.

Having said that, however, what is at issue here is whether by making this appointment, maximum benefit is being reaped from the wealth of accumulated experience of London.

Indeed, one would have thought that this country, Tobago in particular, would have so much to be gained by London being appointed to the Senate where, even though he would be sitting on the Government benches, he would have been able to place into perspective issues which TT now faces, and will continue to face, over the next several years.

One feels this opportunity will be lost due to this London assignment.

This brings me to a view which I have entertained for a long time — that if it is desirous that this country be vested with a Senate, this body should comprise men and women who are qualified to be exemplars to the population at large. From this it follows that I abhor the almost “comical” practice of appointing what I would term “senators of convenience,” ie, senators for a particular debate only.

Does this alone not point to a need for a review of the purpose of the Senate and the qualifications and method of appointment thereto?

Errol OC Cupid Trincity, Tacarigua