The recent behaviour of former Senator and Minister of National Security Gary Griffith has been dubbed by many political observers as that of "cry cry baby, walla walla dumpling."In sudden anticipation of and immediate reaction to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar axing his appointment, Griffith set about, through various news networks, to question the reputations of his former cabinet colleagues namely, Anand Ramlogan, Vasant Bharath, Errol McLeod and Roodal Moonilal.
In the grand scheme of things, he also took a jab at long-time campaign adviser, Ernie Ross. He sought to idolise himself but failed to realise that he was behaving like a clumsy little schoolboy defender who had scored an own goal in a "small post" football tournament, much to the amusement of the other players and onlookers.
He often spoke about his refusal to shift goal posts and it was for this reason he claimed that he was fired. He has since adopted an "Ah go do fuh yuh" attitude. Of course opposition forces as well as the media have been lapping up his utterances. One would expect no less from them.The Media Association of T&T (MATT) seem on the verge of disintegration after the political roles of some officers were seriously questioned by letter writers and political observers.
Nicole Dyer Griffith, chairman of the COP and spouse of Gary Griffith, called on the COP leadership to withdraw from the People's Partnership. Her reasons for doing so are quite obvious but unmeritorious.Gary Griffith's "say so" is not the end of all positions. He has implicated himself as a key player in a purported joint enterprise of which he has accused other people of perpetrating, particularly the former AG, Anand Ramlogan.
Based on the reported facts in the public domain, most political commentators have agreed with the Prime Minister's actions. But enough of the cry, cry baby for now.This scenario has brought into question the role of the COP in the Partnership. There came a time when Basdeo Panday had become a political negative to the supporters of the UNC. As a consequence many supporters left the UNC and formed the COP.
The COP failed to secure a single constituency in the 2008 general elections and was only able to enter the corridors of government in 2010 when it partnered with the UNC under the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
In the last COP internal elections held in June 2014, there was a heated battle between Prakash Ramadhar and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan for political leader. COP party founder, Winston Dookeran announced that he was no longer interested in leading the COP but that he was openly supporting Seepersad-Bachan.
Dr Lincoln Douglas also vied for the position of political leader. Amidst all of this competition, only 2,443 members turned out to vote out of a membership of 40,000 with Prakash Ramadhar emerging victorious. What could possibly be the reason or reasons for this state of affairs in the COP?
On entering Government, the COP hierarchy appeared to be the biggest pain in the Government's behind. Its collective political appetite was never satisfied with the number of ministerial and other official appointments drawn from its ranks. Many members of the COP hierarchy, who did not get their political way, left the COP. Those who remained often referred to the party as the "conscience" of the government.
This self-praise was not only self-serving but signalled the height of arrogance of many hierarchical members that only they had a "conscience" whilst members of other political parties, as well as their own members were inferior in this regard. Obvious reasons for the low voter turnout were that many members of the COP had returned to the folds of the UNC and or that the COP hierarchy was no longer representing their views and interests.
Not having garnered support of their own party members at internal elections, it would be foolhardy to think that they enjoy the support of the majority of their constituents. In the last local government elections in 2013, the COP failed to win a single corporation whereas it had previously held five.
The logical question which arises is who and how many people were Dookeran and Seepersad-Bachan speaking on behalf of when they opposed the Run-Off Elections Bill? Who is Nicole Dyer-Griffith speaking on behalf of when she asks the COP to withdraw from the Partnership?
They appear to be approbating and reprobating at the same time. Blowing hot air on the Partnership whilst being cold and distant from their constituents and party membership. Are their utterances consonant with the supporters of the COP and the partnership?
It appears that the COP has become irrelevant to the politics of the people and it would be wise that it takes stock of itself going into the upcoming general elections. Members of the COP hierarchy would be living in a bubble if they think that the party can make any demands of their coalition partners at this time.