From the outset I wish to categorically state that Dr Keith Rowley, Political Leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) is not "leading by executive fiat..." as stated in your editorial dated Wednesday, April 30, 2015.
This misleading and grossly inaccurate opinion appeared under the headline, PNM must communicate strategy. The editorial makes assertions on the PNM's candidate selection process and draws several conclusions, mainly erroneous, based on an ignorance of the operations of the political organisation.
As the country's oldest newspaper, the Guardian must be well aware that the competition to represent the PNM has always been heated since success usually means the opportunity to serve as a Member of Parliament and even at the Cabinet level.
Your archives would show that even the party's founder, Dr Eric Williams, frequently found himself at loggerheads with the recommendations of constituencies and a few party supporters. This can be expected in the cut and thrust of the democratic process and is a healthy development.
The public and certainly, the membership of the party are well aware of the criteria for selection to represent the PNM and that only one nominee can be selected to represent a particular constituency.
May I add that the screening committee consists of officers who were elected by the membership of the party following the party's historic one-man one-vote internal elections which took place in May 2014.
It is for this reason the selection of candidates for the local and general elections are not the sole preserve of Dr Rowley. This is the result of the change in the party's constitution when our political leader virtually surrendered any veto power in the selection process.
For the benefit of the national community the members of the screening committee are (by office holder) Political Leader, the three Deputy Political Leaders, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Lady Vice Chairman, General Secretary, Public Relations Officer, Elections Officer and Operations Officer.
It is therefore unfortunate that your editorial seeks to suggest that this robust exercise in democracy amounts to some kind of failure of communication on Dr Rowley's part. As a matter of fact, Dr Rowley addressed the candidates and their campaign managers at a one-day session in St Joseph where he outlined the party's vision and the do's and don'ts as the candidates face the electorate. His address was delivered in full glare of the media.
I have seen no editorial pointing out that far from the robust democracy being practiced in the PNM, the UNC has not had internal elections since 2010.
And while Dr Rowley has led the PNM in identifying and selecting a team of highly qualified candidates of integrity, who are now being vetted by the public including our political opponents, there is no similar exercise taking place in any arm of the UNC. The PNM's selection process avoids the selection of candidates in secrecy, as is done by the parties opposed to us.
The country can attest to the dangers of such arrangements which, over the last five years have led to revolving door Cabinet appointments and the first-ever use of the Crossing of the Floor Act by a political party.
The wisdom of the PNM's approach to the candidate selection process, far from confusing our supporters or the electorate, can be found in the poll results which have been appearing in your newspaper since Sunday and suggests a march to victory by the PNM.
Ashton Ford
General Secretary