Yesterday's questioning of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley by Opposition MPs in Parliament was going fairly smoothly until UNC MP Dinesh Rambally rose to present his query.
PNM desk-thumping was long and loud for Rambally, who recently launched scathing attacks on his party leader's performance as he supported four other UNC MPs' calls for party elections. Rambally smiled broadly throughout PNMites' pounding.
However, his place was firmly established when Rambally asked if Rowley was removing the National Security Minister anytime soon. Rowley said there was "... No vacancy here" (on the Government side).
But Government was unsuccessful in testing the UNC's rift with the five MPs with legislation requiring Opposition votes for passage. All UNC MPs - even four of the five present - toed the line, with Rambally among the Opposition desk-thumping of UNC's success in downing the bill. It showed Government cannot bank on the UNC’s internal issues for security.
Especially in a country where the decapitation of an Arouca toddler was followed by the decapitation of a Curepe businessman, and the deaths of 11 babies in a state facility has further battered the image of Terrence Deyalsingh’s Health Ministry. In a situation which Rowley couldn’t bluster his way out of at Thursday's post-Cabinet media briefing, his dissatisfaction with the state of public healthcare compounded the matter.
It's negative for Deyalsingh’s position as MP in the marginal St Joseph proposed by the EBC’s 2024 boundary report to become Aranguez/St Joseph. In PNM’s recoup bid, attention’s needed in similarly UNC- targeted marginals like Toco/Sangre Grande, where the EBC proposes moving 2,000 people from PD 2100 - in PNM areas - to Arima. The report and proposed shifts must be considered in the context that the report’s based on 2019/20 data and changes may have arisen. After further 2023 LG election data, it’s ahead if another EBC report arrives closer to elections.
Government's increased outreach - project launchings, African Liberation Emancipation holiday - is particularly needed following the latest confirmation of disconnection: Rowley’s admission and advisory - years late - that those in his Government who don’t want to talk to the media are in the wrong business. Damage from this failure has been shown clearly with Government’s communication deficit.
He can't be surprised at the failings by some of his team. One related at PNM’s Chaguanas meeting - in Rowley’s presence - how he'd said he wasn't "speaking again" to a newspaper's reporters after issues with a ministry publication in the newspaper. Other key party officials can learn much about true connection beyond clique from ex-PNM general secretary Ashton Forde. Others "too busy" should reconsider. Carefully.
Rowley’s correct declaration that those in politics who don’t want to talk to the media are in the wrong business is a lesson for all political sides and aspirants. Public office is just that. If you ain’t open, the door’s closed. To you mainly.
PNM’s Family Day announced for May, is now June 2. EBC’s boundary shifts benefit PNM-held San Fernando West (not UNC). At Monday’s UNC meeting, leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar fretted more on boundary changes and national issues than the five Natex-engrossed MPs. Her notices to her own team have included expulsion warning for breaking party lines, and that her kindness shouldn’t be mistaken for weakness. Further message on her national leadership profile and plans for UNC ranks was sent with expanded labour outreach.
Amid the division which the efforts of the five may sow with their nightly meetings with others - meetings which numbered 25 up to February - scrutiny's also on the attacks by Rambally, legal adviser of SDMS, whose officials attended his briefing. Issues have simmered since Barry Padarath's language issue on the affiliated TV station, Persad-Bissessar’s stance on temple desecration, and the Ramai Trace Hindu school name and UNC's Roodal Moonilal.
While three of the five on Thursday signalled intention to toe party line on yesterday's bills - safeguarding themselves to continue fighting within - Paray didn't show up and Charles' pre-Parliament briefing reinforced their arguments, including on "intergenerational" leadership change. But Persad-Bissessar's rule prevailed.
After both leaders' notices to their respective teams, time and ultimately elections will confirm how punctual —or late— the advisories were.