Mistakes are there to be made. In politics they are quantified many times over. 'Do and talk stupidity' and 'crapaud smoke your pipe forever.'
Both the ruling PNM and the Opposition will be taking no prisoners on the road to the general election in 2020. For every silly remark, every evidence of immaturity and misinformation, many votes will be lost.
Friday, June 17, saw the MP for Couva North showing an unexpected slice of ignorance regarding parliamentary procedure. The Opposition needs to ensure that their newest recruits–and some of the old stalwarts–do not embarrass them unnecessarily. It is never too repetitive to remind everyone that "image is everything."
The sudden interest of the collective Opposition in the management of the Tobago House of Assembly, has appeared from nowhere. One can ask, "Since when did the Opposition care so deeply about Tobago?" Like it or not, Tobago is PNM country. And so is Trinidad since September 7, 2015. But Confucius says, "Nothing is forever."
I prefer to think that seasoned campaigners like the former prime minister, the chief whip, and other senior parliamentarians were unaware that the Couva North MP, after five years plus in Parliament, would put on such an embarrassing display.
With no money left in the Treasury for anybody to allegedly 'tief' on party advertising paid for by taxpayers, every minister, on both sides, must be factual and compelling. The public can no longer be classified as foolish and the voting public will not be walking down 'Ignorance Avenue' again. Ever.
Political image is everything.
Lynette Joseph
Via email