A sign Rowley has learnt from criticism

Or it could be he was able to draw on whatever moral and ethical stock he possessed that seemed to have been non-existent, or at least dormant, in his first decision to reinstate Mc- Donald.

It is interesting to consider why he may have reappointed Mc- Donald despite her baggage. One may argue that maybe he is the PM and he has the power to act, and in true PNM style and that of the founding father, “No damn dog bark!” The argument may go further that no leader is impervious to the mantra “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” and yet further, that the latter is likely to take root in our local leaders because of the nuances of tribal politics which negate the idea of accountability at the top.

The other side of the divide provides ample illustration of the exercise of power during its term of office without the need to be accountable, for the simple reason that leaders can do no wrong in the eyes of the tribe. So there is much to speculate on in terms of the PM’s arrogance in the exercise of power or his poor judgment as some have been suggesting, as far as McDonald’s reinstatement was concerned.

Yet the argument above about drawing on his seemingly non-existent moral, professional and ethical stock in firing Mc- Donald once again is not entirely without merit, for first he was willing to pay heed to dissenting voices.

And secondly, his justification for his action, that McDonald’s questionable association was untenable in the national interest, demonstrates a concern for “rightness” in the political domain much at variance with the absolutes about his arrogance and poor judgment being bandied about.

It is worthwhile to remember, too, that it was the same Rowley who was willing to jeopardise his own political future by daring to lock horns with late prime minister Patrick Manning over issues in the party and even with the Integrity Commission when he felt he was wronged.

So this decision to fire McDonald, putting behind the political expediency of her re-engagement in his first decision in favour of the high ground of morality in public affairs in her dismissal, may well be an interesting point in the learning curve of this Prime Minister.

DR ERROL BENJAMIN docbenj742@outlook.

com