The PM has revoked six ministerial appointments at a time very close to elections.If Mr Warner was still in the mix, I would analyse in footballing terms. He is not, so I will go the cricketing way.Let us talk Test cricket. Madame PM, you have declared your first innings without even coming close to the other teams first innings and you have wickets and time in hand. You are bringing on twelfth men and weakening a team in conflict.
Here is where you started wrong–many of your advisers are PNM and you knew that but you hoped that you could win them over, but it never happened. Whose interest do you think they will seek?Your party's lack of governmental experience meant you had to recruit from the "enemy." You did not learn from the mistakes of your "maha guru," instead you repeated them and expected different results. Learning can be a difficult and painful experience.
Ministers are being discarded like paper napkins. What was Stacy Roopnarine's crime? She was one of your best performing ministers. Everyone sang her praises. Where did she go wrong or to whom did she do wrong? She is not the only well-performing minister who was fired.The AG and the Minister of National Security have been sent packing and yet you tried to implicate the Opposition Leader. No ma'am you have to take the blame, the buck stops with you.
You said you will launch a probe. We all know what will happen and where that will end up.With respect to your new additions, the majority are OJTs. Do they and you have enough time?The new Minister of National Security is a good call. He will do well. You could have done better for an AG. Your choice lacks experience in the field and comes from a different environment. You need a sound neutral, brilliant, legal mind. Age is no criterion for competence. I would have gone with Kevin Ratiram.
When the former AG came on the scene, he was aggressive and confrontational. Where he lacked height, he made up with loudness. His knowledge of the law was impeccable. Very similar to another AG who met a similar demise. He threatened to extradite this one and that. Now we know he couldn't even issue a parking ticket.Madam PM, it is going to get worse. If your government has served the people, you have nothing to worry about.
Seek a fresh mandate from the people. Dissolve parliament, call general elections.Everything you critiqued the PNM about you repeated, ie jobs for the boys, not those qualified. Do what is right, because it is right.
Time is running out.
AV Rampersad
Princes Town