The flu which Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was suffering from earlier in the week, must have gone into remission after 3.10 pm yesterday in the House of Representatives. Six weeks shy of the PP Government's first year in office, Persad- Bissessar obtained an extra early anniversary gift: public division of the Opposition PNM. This, thanks to past and present PNM leaders Patrick Manning and Keith Rowley, who had already handed Persad-Bissessar quite a gift on May 24, 2010.In fact, it was a healthily glowing Persad-Bissessar who declared the Opposition "collapsed," post-sitting.
Almost a year later, it appears the patriarchs of the PNM family are just as much at odds as they were in 2008, 2009 and 2010, despite a public hug-up in January in San Fernando East. Manning's motion seeking legal representation in his Privileges Committee issue was to have topped yesterday's House business.
But this slid into the background as his party leader, deputy leader Marlene McDonald, former first lieutenant Colm Imbert, seatmate Paula Gopee-Scoon and Nileung Hypolite abstained from supporting his motion. MPs Alicia Hospedales (who had seconded the motion when it began) and Joanne Thomas were (strangely) out of the chamber when the vote was taken. Manning made an impassioned delivery on the issue, eliciting a reply in stentorian bellows, almost shaking the chamber rafters, from PP MP Herbert Volney, a judge.
Manning was watched closely by some PNM MPs. And in the final stages of debate by all Government MPs. Though not much by Rowley, McDonald and Hypolite. Imbert also was engrossed in a document.
When Manning began reply to Volney, Rowley left his seat to sit in the VIP section next to PNM Senator Penny Beckles, who arrived to view proceedings. Both chatted softly, watching Manning speak. Minutes later Rowley was back in his seat reading a magazine as Manning concluded. Government MPs were in their element as the parliamentary Opposition unravelled. "Whaaattt?!" they shouted when Manning projected he had the support of colleagues. "Oooooooohhh!!!" they chorused when PNM's McDonald, Rowley and Hypolite voiced abstention. Manning showed no emotion as his colleagues stood down his matter. Indeed, during his contribution he had let slip that there had been "internal issues" concerning an initial motion on the legal representation matter.
Anger, disappointment by PNMites
Immediately after yesterday's development, initial feedback among some PNMites was concern, anger and disappointment at the non-support and public split. It remains to be seen how much of a difference will be made by McDonald's explanation that the abstentions were undertaken after Manning refused to comply with amendments to his motion requestedby PNM's caucus. There may also be fallout on the matter of MPs' breaches of the caucus decision to abstain, since Manning, Amery Browne, Pat McIntosh and Fitzgerald Jeffrey voted for the motion. This will be discussed at today's PNM council. PNM MPs had hinted of expected non-support for the motion since the recent PNM caucus to which Manning was summoned to explain about the motion.
There he'd aired concerns about PNM's direction and perceived closeness by some MPs-such as Donna Cox-to Government. Following return fire from Cox and PRO Faris Al Rawi, Manning had underscored his view in a retort last Friday when he challenged the party to be as quick and pointed in holding the Government to account as his colleagues had been in replying to him. Manning made good on his concerns about Government by firing on the Government at his constituency's meeting on Monday, which was billed as being in support of Rowley and the new executive. Manning had invited McDonald to send members to attend the meeting, PNM executives said. Last night some PNMites were wondering whether MPs' non-support was silent payback for Manning's last retort-an obvious shot on PNM's performance-or his constituency meeting which was attended by 300 people.
Some caucus members had been jumpy about the meeting following the concerns Manning raised.
Seeking to capitalise, PP MP Roodal Moonilal had attempted to fling the proverbial (political) cat among the (PNM) pigeons during Wednesday's House session when he said $46m was paid by ministries in costs for the Uff probe. "$46m of taxpayers' funds...to lick up the MP for Diego Martin West (Rowley)," he remarked.
And for good measure: "...All this by the man (Manning) who holding meeting on Monday," Moonilal added.
Moonilal's aim went wide that day-Rowley didn't take bait. Indeed, Rowley on Tuesday-after Manning's meeting-dispelled perceived concerns about it, sanctioning the meeting.
But if Manning's meeting on Monday had taken the PNM any step forward in beginning the work the party needs to consolidate and hold the Government accountable (or heighten his own profile), all of that was wiped out by yesterday's disciplinary move against him. It remains to unfold whether Manning will stick to recent plans for more meetings-and what the agenda may be then-and if such meetings will include present MPs (such as Rowley) or only past MPs. Whether other PNMites will take Manning's lead and start holding similar meetings to assist raising the party's profile is also doubtful considering the leadership's stance against him. Almost three years to the day-April 23, 2008-that Manning fired Rowley as a minister, Manning now finds himself almost in the position Rowley did at that period: accused of breaking ranks, not following mandate and out of favour with the leadership.
In this scenario, however, Manning appears to have some support and PNM obviously has a lingering issue on its hands. And not just rebuilding. Yesterday's development comes at a time when PNM's profile outside of the Parliament and sporadic press briefings has remained at plateau level, which some PNMites believe is inadequate to properly represent national interests on the various issues Government's neophyte management technique has brought to the fore. In his March 20 convention address, Rowley had said PNM was going to embark the "next day" on a big recruitment drive. However the party has not reported on that (or the recent Miami lobbying mission), re-started walkabouts or presented the new executive to the public. After a month in office, new chairman Franklin Khan has been largely silent.
The executive will be presented to today's PNM General Council-almost a month after the convention-when committees and central executive members will be chosen.
The new team begins work with the challenge of the Manning issue overhead and expectations would be that its mettle may be proven in the handling of this. Prior to yesterday, PNM officials believed the party-presented with the gift horse of a "fumbling" Government-had enough infrastructure in place and sufficient political victories against the Government to forge ahead. Whether Manning's perceived "resurgence" on Monday and his setback yesterday will be reflected in PNM deeply enough to stymie its renewal thrust remains to be seen. It will be another measure of Rowley's leadership how this is handled and whether PNM's credibility can sustain in the face of issues re: leaders past and present.
Challenges for Government still...
Government's window of opportunity where the PNM division is concerned may be as sizeable as the Opposition's handling of the issue, especially in the face of its own issues. While businessmen at the T&T Chamber's Hyatt luncheon on Wednesday were voicing concern about crime affecting local business, Foreign Affairs Minister Suruj Rambachan was confirming exactly that in the Parliament. Rambachan's revelation that the Caribbean is the most murderous region in the world-and T&T a big part of that-should bring little comfort to the business sector.
New T&T Chamber president Andrew Sabga says: "The crime situation has improved but it's by no means anywhere near where we'd like it to be. The Chamber has for years advocated more police presence on roadways and crimi-nals use roads to get to and from crimes. A stronger presence may deter and solve crimes." Sabga does not believe that the June busi-ness forum hosted by Government will nec-essarily solve investment's low energy flow: He added, "Not because we host it, does it mean things will be rectified before or during the time of staging. There are deep-seated issues within the Police Service and T&T. This crime situation didn't happen overnight, it's worsened since the better part of 1990. Nor can it be fixed overnight. It'll take significant resources and time to do so."
Crime is incurring significant costs for busi-ness, he added, noting that his Carib Brewery has had to remove cash from trucks and do business by credit card and cheque. Sabga added, "But I've seen some improve-ment in the sector in recent months and on a personal level I believe once Government's machinery starts working, public servants and contractors are paid and the industrial rela-tions climate settles down, investors will begin investing." Government's settlement of the public ser-vants' issue may not necessarily do the trick, considering the vehement reaction by other unions to the PSA's perceived rollover on the matter. It is also unlikely the climate will thaw much further considering statements by Ancil Ro-get, warning of no peace in T&T if the current offer remains. And also by Natuc president Michael Annisette, a former Independent senator who came under heavy UNC fire for his one-time role as a Udecott board member.
Sabga's concerns on crime, however, should find a ready ear in new Police Service Commission chairman Ramesh Deosaran, who had headed the Ansa McAL Psychological Research Centre at UWI, which did studies on crime, justice and other issues. Deosarsan, who as an Independent senator had waded into the PNM Government for its handling of crime-and failure to use his expertise-now has an opportunity to trans-late his theories into practice and see if they are successful. His mandate appears to involve starting from the top and ensuring whether his employer-Government-has gotten its $1.1m worth with Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs (and what could transpire if it hasn't). Deosaran will be challenged by the fact that while his illustrious background and state-ments on crime could lend assistance in his new position, they have also weighted the burden of expectation on him and could become cannon fodder in his direction should he start floundering in the post.
Adding to expectation also is the history by which Deosaran entered the PSC job: due to predecessor Nizam Mohammed's foul-ups and removal. Government's parliamentary organisation also requires tweaking. Parliamentary confusion took place in both the Upper and Lower Houses in the same week, last week. The Senate was suspended last week Tuesday for members to figure out what to debate.
And last Friday, the House aborted debate on the Human Trafficking Bill when it was discovered the wrong version of the bill was under debate. Opposition issues, however, may give the Government breathing room. But only just.