A New Politics

Cabinet — Power and Responsibility “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got.” Calamity lies ahead if we follow the course we are now on. The demons of corruption, crime and discrimination are raging through the land. The tragedy is that it could have been all so different. We are a rainbow people, with big hearts and a zest for living. God blessed us with enough gas and oil to satisfy the needs of all who live here. God blessed us with a form of government that if it were followed, would have given us peace and security and justice for all.

With the right leadership we could have created a paradise on these twin islands, an example to the world on how a nation of different races and different religions could dwell together in harmony. We had it in us (and still have it) to do this... and we blew it. But it is never too late to change. In a way, all of us collectively and individually created the society in which we now live and we must accept responsibility for it. If we think that others out there are doing it then, we disempower ourselves to do anything about it. Only when we accept some responsibility for it, can we find the power to  change it. We should not therefore just condemn the sickness that society is suffering with and shrug our shoulders. We should rather, ask ourselves “What about all of this, do I find ‘bad,’ and what, if anything, do I wish to do to change it?”  For all that is happening gives you the opportunity to decide and declare, to fulfil and to experience, who you really are and who you want to be. And this is what life is all about. This is the soul’s agenda.

TT is a “Parliamentary Democracy” with three arms of government — the Legislature, the Executive (Cabinet) and the Judiciary. Cabinet is given the power to do administer the country in accordance with the Constitution and the law. It is power with accountability. The prime minister appoints the Cabinet Ministers and sets the tone for the government. The government in turn sets the tone for the people. In a real sense, the prime minister shapes society. (“Citizens have a legitimate interest in the conduct of public figures)” (Sat Sharma, Chief Justice of TT.) Very sadly, the actions of the Prime Minister have become more and more worrisome. It has taken on an alarming trend, a trend which is taking the country further downhill. Let’s just review.

It has been plain as daylight to all for some time now that our Constitution is not working and that constitutional reform is urgently needed. The Prime Minister recognises this. The PNM General Election Manifesto states: “The PNM is committed to do the widest possible discussion and participation in the process leading up to do reform of the Constitution for a modern Trinidad and Tobago which must be capable of ensuring the involvement of all the citizens in the running of the country, and permit equity in the distribution of the resources across a plural society. This will be achieved by... The establishment of a Constitution Commission with multi-party support and with the involvement of civil society organisations. The PNM’s Vision 2020 document and several pronouncements echoed this. Now, despite all these solemn promises and pronouncements, despite the strong and growing demands for constitutional reform all across the political landscape, the Prime Minister has conveniently forgotten his party’s promises and remains eloquently mute and deaf on the issue.

But lo and behold! The chairman of the party at the party’s 39th annual convention said, “The single most important factor in this accomplishment was changing the institutions of the country. But the only way we can change the institutions is if, come 2007, PNM gets a majority in the House of Representatives we can transform the institution. The country needs nothing more.” There it is!  This is shameless behaviour. The Prime Minister slaps us down without a word of explanation. He obviously intends to proceed with business as usual and continue his one-man rule no matter what happens to the country.

— Going back to 1994, the Prime Minister on June 7, 1994 told a delegation from the Public Services Association; “We don’t have the luxury of time to engage fully in the exercises of democracy.” Can you believe it? The Prime Minister of this country making such a statement, a man who has taken the oath to uphold the Constitution and our democracy.” Do you remember the late Morris Marshall, a former Cabinet Member? He had some problems with the Prime Minister and this is what the Prime Minister said about him “Mr Marshall had the tendency to challenge the leader from time to time. For whatever reason, you can do that.

That’s fine. If there was any difficulty in our relationship it was because I was not prepared to stomach too much of that. You see, you challenge my view. That’s fine, but if you challenge my authority, I have problem with that.” This is the prime minister of a parliament democracy speaking. Can you believe it? The Prime Minister holds office under law and everything he does is subject to law. Anyone can therefore, challenge his “authority” if they don’t agree with his exercise of it. With an attitude like that, every Cabinet member becomes the Prime Minister’s puppy dog. In 2001, the Prime Minister appointed his wife as a minister to the front line Education Minister through the Senate. This was a clear case of nepotism. And what does the Prime Minister say when people voiced their objections? He proclaims, “I am in absolute authority, so ask me no questions.”

May the saints preserve us. The Prime Minister continues to  bulldoze his way to the Red House. He wants it for his office...and he must get it no matter what. He blunders on, ignoring the historical significance of the Red House as the seat of Parliament, ignoring Parliament itself, ignoring the huge sum of money it would cost to construct a new Parliament building, ignoring the strong objections of the public at large. Very recently, after the ceremonial opening of Parliament, the Sergeant of Arms of Parliament approached the assembled guests with a ringing bell, stood on a platform and announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Mrs Manning.” This practice has never occurred before. It is a breach of protocol and encroaches on the prerogatives of Parliament.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Suzanne Mills’ column will appear next Sunday.