WRONG CHOICE, PRIME MINISTER

MORE than at any other time in independent Trinidad and Tobago, there is a need for capable and respected national leadership. 

Virtually all national institutions have been subverted, some to the point of losing their constitutional purpose. 

In addition, T&T is undergoing the worst humanitarian crisis of our times, with gripping poverty, worsened by a declining economy, mass unemployment and runaway cost of living. 

The elderly, infirm, single parents and other socially marginalised people are seeing hell in buying food and medication and paying their utility bills. 

Some are taking to the streets, pleading for alms to feed their hungry children.  

The crime emergency has placed everyone under the gun and the nation is becoming an international pariah. 

Businesses are closing down, even if Derek Chin is the only large entrepreneur courageous enough to make the confession. 

Investors are not beating down on our door anymore, and many are fleeing our crisis-ridden land, sending home skilled employees and further depleting our foreign exchange. 

A national President would not have a direct impact on these or any other urgent issues but could emerge as a voice of reason and empathy, safeguarding our endangered institutions and echoing the plight of the small man. 

An independent and forthright Head of State could speak truth to power, avert a repeat of the Police Service Commission fiasco, call for fixing of the crisis in the judiciary, appeal for campaign finance and other crucial legislations. 

Such a Head of State could quietly insist on the enactment of procurement legislation, especially with the revelation by the current regulator that there is an average of $5.2 billion a year in corruption, nepotism, and big rigging. 

A plainspoken and autonomous President could challenge the Government to seriously address the scourge of crime, the disappearing middle class, the “brain drain,” the general suffering of the masses. 

Even in a largely ceremonial office, an effective Head of State could positively influence public policy, and provide comfort and solace to a besieged land. 

Paula Mae Weekes had offered to align herself with the common person, as did Anthony Carmona, both of whom turned out to be mere flash-in-the-pan.   

Maybe Christine Kangaloo would break the mould, and become the people’s person in the nation’s highest office. 

But I doubt it. 

Ms. Kangaloo has been a partisan politician for more than two decades, throwing barbs in the gayelle and engaging in one-upmanship. 

In addition, she has no body of work on a vision for the land or involvement in any civic causes, or engagement with any downtrodden masses. 

She is a political trader, who should not occupy an exalted office that demands balance, poise, and stature, and who espouses wisdom and maturity. 

A Head of State should enter the role with deference and esteem, and not earn it along the way. 

In the political tinderbox that is T&T, President’s House should be a no-go for a politician whose every move would be scrutinised for motive and who would stand accused of cementing the status quo. 

Admittedly, there are not many obvious choices for the role, although I had expected Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to opt for Rolston Nelson, an eminent jurist. 

The Prime Minister has watered down our highest national office. 

Christine Kangaloo is simply not a good choice as President of Trinidad and Tobago.