It would have been with a light(er) heart that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hosted a luncheon for the media on Thursday following the announcement that Government had successfully resolved the Caribbean Airlines Ltd issue. The beribboned hampers of high-end goodies (including Pepperidge Farm Pirouette chocolate wafers) with which journalists were gifted, were not quite the same as the hampers of rice and lentils distributed last week to some constituencies. (Those who couldn't attend, got a signed Christmas card featuring a studio portrait of a very erect-looking Persad-Bissessar.) But the PM's pre-New Year's spirit might have been considerably lighter as Works Minister Jack Warner's appeared to be, after resolution of the CAL issue which had threatened the seams of the seven-month-old People's Partnership administration.
That apart, the PP still faces challenges on various fronts for 2011, most notably regarding credibility of effort.
Riding into office on the back of a climate ripe for change and enjoying the extended wave via subsequent strategically timed local government polls, the PP has had a highly positive environment in which to settle down. The "honeymoon" came to a screeching halt following the PP's first budget with the eruption of issues ranging from public servants' wage protests to the Clico dilemma, the CAL issue and worsening crime.
Gangland executions in broad daylight-with shooters standing over bodies and firing into them-have "graduated" T&T to ranking with Colombia and Mexico.
As quickly as it has assumed office, the new Government must just as quickly acknowledge that its penchant for PR gestures-and its acquisition of former media expertise-has not provided the expected balance for the tightrope it straddles. This, concerning meeting election promises and grappling with national issues and demands in a climate of economic stringency, rising inflation and unemployment. This, plus the hovering fall-out from the Clico matter whose settlement could also see ripple effects on the economy. These and other open-ended issues roll into 2011 when public expectation will increase for the PP to ante up on its much-touted promise of capability.
Persad-Bissessar, who has warned MPs that 2011 is the "Year of Delivery," has various overseas engagements ahead. Her schedule includes the Caricom Intercessional in Grenada (February), the Commonwealth leaders' conference in Australia (October) and Caricom summit in St Kitts (July). In the last leg of her tenure as Commonwealth chairman, Persad-Bissessar will preside over the planned business forum in April to showcase T&T to Americas and Commonwealth entrepreneurs. It remains to be seen to whom acting prime ministerial appointments will fall in 2011 after Jack Warner (UNC), Winston Dookeran (COP), Errol Mc Leod (MSJ) and Vernella Alleyne-Toppin (TOP) acted in 2010. How credibly will the Government walk its talk within the strictures of coalition life?
PP leaders admit challenges
Will Persad-Bissessar's leadership skills respond adequately to the calls? Warner says: "For 2011, we have to listen to and interact more with members and devise solutions to the major problems of crime and the economy in a collective effort. Upcoming weeks will be occupied with finding creative ways of employment, for instance. "As a partnership we must also meet more to devise common positions and objectives and reduce the perception of inter-party rivalry."
Mc Leod said, "It's been hectic. It's just that the work has not seriously touched people's consciousness because issues such as crime and Clico have hindered the effort. "It'll help the Partnership to sit down separate from Government and discuss matters which will then redound to the benefit of governance." TOP leader Ashworth Jack added, "Some have excelled in Government, some till have a bit to do. I'm sure we can hold this Partnership accountable on delivery. More dialogue with partners can also help."
House twice weekly-Moonilal
When the 2011 segment of the first session of the 10th Parliament resumes next Friday, the Government projects more Lower House sittings."...Wednesdays and Fridays," says PP House leader Roodal Moonilal.
Government's Lower House thrust has been carried by PP's eight most seasoned MPs (and a handful of its Senate frontliners). On performance, Moonilal believes the standard of debate has risen. "Government is encouraging all its MPs to participate more fully in debate," he added.
Upcoming work includes deliberations by Parliament's Privileges Committee on its first cases involving former Prime Minister Patrick Manning and PP MP Anil Roberts. Since June, the Government has produced approximately 18 pieces of legislation. About eight are anti-crime bills including some seeking to adjust constitutional rights. Moonilal said 2011's first quarter will focus on procurement and further anti-crime legislation. The approximately 15 pieces of legislation ahead-several of which require constitutional changes-include the Electronic Transactions Data Protection bill, a landmark bill to bring relief to land owners-especially Tobagonians-on ownership and acquisition issues, and the Beverage Container bill. The latter, pending over two PNM administrations, triggers the recycling industry and aids environmental protection and prevention of flooding.
Moonilal added, "The bill has far-reaching implications for businessmen regarding costs, machinery etc. Ongoing talks with stakeholders conclude in January." And while the Opposition PNM's internal differences-between Manning and Rowley support-might be perceived as aid- ing the Government, Moonilal says the situation has "hampered" parliamentary work somewhat. "Sometimes though we consult, we're still unclear on the outcome of proceedings as a result of the Opposition being divided between the left and right side of their bench," he added.
Lacklustre KR/PNM
Helmed by the fourth leader in a 56-year history, the PNM is still trying to come to grips with its Opposition and regrouping responsibilities under new leader of seven months, MP Keith Rowley. In the same way the post-Panday UNC rebranded away from Panday's image to Persad-Bissessar's PP profile, Rowley has attempted to mould the PNM away from the image of former leader Manning, under whom the PNM suffered general election defeat, and away from the overhanging spectre of alleged corruption. (New leadership didn't save the PNM from further defeat in local government polls.) Rowley's personal style and his distancing from controversial issues under PNM tenure has, however, dealt the PNM a double- edged sword including on emotive matters like the PP's Christmas hampers.
Rowley's effort to shift from balisier ties-garb which the UNC/PP traditionally criticised-is also encountering rough reception from party seniors, reluctant to give up a symbol equated with late founder Dr Eric Williams and to give in to the PP's criticism of the tie. Some of Rowley's recent remarks also indicate that Manning-who's said he will serve out the term-continues to be a concern to Rowley who has clearly not left past issues behind. Nor has rebranding helped PNM's parliamentary performance, now lacklustre. And not just because of PP's larger majority. Parliamentary records indicate that of the PNM's eight matters at the adjournment, seven were filed by MP Colm Imbert and one by MP Amery Browne. Both filed three motions of privilege against PP MPs.
Two matters of urgent definite public importance were filed by Imbert and MP Paula Gopee-Scoon. Rowley, Imbert plus MPs Marlene McDonald and Nileung Hypolite filed 22 plus questions the PNM posed to the Government. Rowley had one private motion. PNMites agree that contributions by Imbert, Browne and Manning have had the most impact in the Parliament. Yesterday Imbert said, "Some of our MPs need to get more involved in the business of Parliament.
They all have talent-I've noted chief whip Marlene McDonald is improving in debate due to more practice." Rowley's walkabouts-launching next week in Laventille-are expected to help shore up his stocks and stimulate interest for the PNM's March elections, also expected to churn up party currents. It remains to be seen how credibly Rowley will redirect the PNM into the "tighter" vehicle he projected recently. And whether Manning-an asset regarding institutional memory as well as a liability on alleged past moves-will more fully be a team player.
A COP 'Opposition'?
The PNM's disorganisation is among issues prompting PP member the COP towards a reinforced watchdog role in 2011, says COP deputy leader Robert Mayers. Mayers denied a report that the COP and PNM are speaking secretly on merging: "No talks. No plans for that-there isn't a PNM to talk to," Mayers laughed.
(PNM chief whip Marlene McDonald also denied "talks" with the COP.) Mayers was among people who COP leader Winston Dookeran thanked at a Fyzabad function for "never failing to remind us we must keep ourselves on the right track and don't fall for easy temptations" (sic). On Thursday, Mayers signalled that the COP will be assuming a new watchdog role. He said: "COP has to fashion a presence in the political firmament, separate and apart from its MPs who are bound by collective responsibility. Though parliamentarians speak of a 'PP Government,' it's really a UNC Government."
"While we accept the conditionality of responsibility, this is why the COP must now adopt this mode and do the work COP initially set out to-change the politics, espouse proper values and foster the change the public is yet to see." Citing rampant crime and other issues, he added: "What was said in PP's manifesto, in campaigning etc are not the same. So one has to begin to look at all this and call on Government to do as promised. "Whether one will get support to do this is a different matter. But the Partnership is clearly a misnomer. To date we lack mechanisms to deal with constituent members and resolve issues that may arise. The UNC is clearly proceeding on its own agenda apart from the Partnership-the COP is being ignored." Mayers said, "Because of absence of leadership from PNM, the COP has to take on the role-not of Opposition but of holding the Government to promises and dealing with issues.
"I'd think you'd see a more vocal COP ahead to ensure the Partnership delivers and what pressure can be brought to bear to ensure this." Claiming much disenchantment "on the ground," Mayers added, "Recent months were filled with PR and little governance. People are upset as the PP hasn't delivered. But people don't want to believe they were wrong." Mayers, who said the PP has "no plan," believes the Government is too overwhelmed with governing to handle Partnership responsibilities. "This suggests the thing may, at best, go the way of the NAR which had the same problem. Or, at worst, it could disintegrate in office. "We knew all the players and what they were capable of prior to May 24, but people felt the need to change and get rid of Manning.
"In a sense now, they need to be disabused of the view that people voted for them-people voted against Manning and PNM." Mayers admitted there is ambivalence on the issue within the COP: "One side says 'we're in government and a long way from where we were.' But government is the exercise of power and I'm not discerning that COP members are exerting this or are allowed to. The confusion is manifested by the CAL issue and huge delays in board appointments." Mayers, who rejected a board appointment, said he was more interested in seeing proper governance. Mayers said Dookeran who may see himself as the Partnership's main architect-since he had spoken to NJAC,TOP and MSJ-may feel hard-pressed to make it work.
Mayers says COP must also hold some of its own MPs to account along with the Government. Indeed, Dookeran delivered a veiled rebuff to absent COP MPs at a recent function when he said he looked forward to them recognising that the COP had "given birth" to the current situation and seeing them all under one roof at a COP function. COP's agenda includes a May leadership election regarding Dookeran's post. Mayers, who will not contest, doesn't see anyone running against Dookeran, considering the latter's movement of the COP from inception to date. But if Dookeran doesn't contest, Mayers feels the situation may be different.
2010 headliners (and their just due)
The Wrong Call Award (gold)-P Manning
The Right Timing Star-PP
The Wrong Call Awards (gold, silver etc,)-K Persad-Bissessar, PP neophyte members/aides, K Rowley
The Caricom Award-not KPB (apologies, aid notwithstanding)
The First Up ...and Out Award-Fazeer Moham-med
The SIA/SSA Award-KBP (on Successfully Instituting Another Skilful Smokescreen Action-plan)
The SIA/SSA Award-P Manning (for Stupidly Instructing Agencies on a Self Serving Agenda)
The WTF?! Award-for PNMites who ridiculed an exiting Manning eliciting the question of "What The..." (insert appropriate sentiment here)
The Good Luck Trophy-K Rowley (for being saddled with all dat now)
The Record Cup-PP Government (for the longest time in appointing boards)
The What's Next? Award-P Manning, PNM, K Rowley
The What's Next....? Award-KPB, PP, COP et al
The What's (@#$%^*) Next ?!! Award-John Public, Police Commissioner, Minister John Sandy
So What's Next Silver Star-criminals and coffin-bound recipients of 24-plus slugs
Who Cares What's Next...! Trophy-drug overlords
Heir Apparent Award-PP's Roodal Moonilal (and whoever else needs to be stroked)
The Cannon Award-AG Anand Ramlogan (for shooting off too fast)
The RLM Certificate-AG Ramlogan for emulating certain Ramesh Maharaj strategies
The Small Change Trophy-PP for bashing PNM plans, then following some
The Pendulum Plaque-Finance Minister Winston Dookeran
The Twine Certificate-Jack Warner (for knowing time longer than...)
The Don't Ask-Don't Tell Award-PM's office under which Information falls-but lacks an Information spokesman
The Compromise Award-Any PNM MP (for handling work in Parliament commensurate with keeping/getting any outside of it)
The Barbell Award-Independent senators (to hopefully beef up 2011 strength)
The HH Award-PP backbenchers adding ho-hum weight to their team (diction not included)
Oxford's Dic Award-PP back and frontbenchers for murdering the contents thereof (diction included)
The D&D Award-MPs who still think diction is a pocket-sized dictionary.
The (MIA) Awards-Calder Hart, Juliana Pena (who remain Missing In Action).
The Lim Ping Star-the fourth estate (not necessarily because some "workers" left the field for greener Pa$ture$. Or certain print media now peddle the policy of predjudice)
The EH Award-T&T (for being Ever Hopeful)
The BFBH Award-T&T (...But Fast Becoming Haters)