Senior Reporter
dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt
A political scientist and an economist are sceptical about the proposal by St Lucia’s Opposition Leader for a single organisation to represent opposition groups across the Caribbean.
Allen Chastanet spoke about the plan at the United National Congress’s (UNC) anti-crime talks in Sangre Grande on Monday night where he praised Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the idea. He also called for a tax to be imposed to finance a Regional Security System (RSS) to combat crime in the region.
When contacted for comment on the proposal, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley would only say “I have expressed all my thoughts on Allen Chastanet already.”
Political scientist Dr Indira Rampersad said such an organisation might never bear fruit.
“I don’t think it would be quite feasible because we operate in a system of winner takes it all,” she said.
Rampersad explained that only democratically elected governments are recognised in the Westminster political system that exists throughout the region.
A similar view was expressed by economist Dr Indera Sagewan who sought to remind the public that opposition leaders are prime ministers in waiting. She recalled that both Chastanet and Persad-Bissessar once led their respective countries.
Sagewan said a regional organisation representing opposition leaders might not have any real impact. She compared it to the shortfalls that exist in Caricom which celebrated its 50th anniversary last July 4.
“This, to me, potentially represents another layer of organisational bureaucracy which, when I look at the history of political organisations, the track record in terms of performance doesn’t support that this is going to be any different,” she said.
Sagewan also noted that among its limitations, a regional body might be strapped for cash as opposition leaders cannot lobby for funding from certain foreign entities.
“The only thing that the opposition members can do with respect to an organisation like the World Bank, the IDB’s (International Development Bank), etc, is to speak with them because in a formal way, these entities work directly with governments only.”
The proposed organisation might not be a novel idea as in July 2005, at the 26th Caricom Heads Of Government Meeting in Saint Lucia, members welcomed the opportunity to exchange views with the leaders of the parliamentary opposition. They agreed to establish a committee of heads of government and opposition representatives to discuss ways of involving the parliamentary opposition more closely in community affairs.
Dr Rampersad said Chastanet’s appeal for a collaborative effort to combat crime might benefit Persad-Bissessar in the long run
“Any concrete, sensible, comprehensive and rational crime plan is going to be welcomed by the population and I think it will gain any politician some votes,” she said.