Le Hunte’s ‘demons’

Prof Ramesh Deosaran

Demon. This word means “an evil spirit or devil, one possessing a person; a forceful, fierce or skilful performer," (Concise Oxford).

During the very controversial debate in Parliament on the Valuation of Land Bill (April 17), Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte said: “We live in a different time from the past. We have to get together now, stop demonising one another and change the narrative.” Many will agree, but the leaks from our Westminster-style party politics invite demonic antagonisms.

Fresh from banking protocol, Le Hunte was responding to severe opposition criticisms – mainly from Senators Wade Mark, Gerald Ramdeen and the thoughtful “new face,” attorney Saddam Hosein who described the Government, particularly Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Minister in the Ministry Allyson West, in terms Le Hunte felt were “demonising.” This led me to think what party politics, as earlier described by Dr Eric Williams since 1955, 1958 and 1960, have become.

In 1955, he declared: “After the political education of the people, the next most important prerequisite to a party is honesty. Dishonesty and immorality of political life in Trinidad and Tobago are now a byword. The population is fed up of graft and corruption, sick to death of broken promises. The situation daily gets worse," (Woodford Square, 1955). As Westminster party politics became contaminated, he chastised party officials for the emerging demon – conflicts of interest. He warned: “Any man connected with any ministry should not hold private interests antithetical to his political responsibility,” (14th annual convention, 1972).

Dr Williams added: “A party which consists of individuals who come together only in an attempt to get power cannot last if it fails in its attempt. A political party is more than a bunch of individuals grouped together to contest an election.” He then demanded full knowledge of a candidate’s character, “antecedents, political, economic and family background.”

Sensing encroaching demons, Dr Williams instructed the party’s newspaper: “Attack the enemy everywhere, top, bottom and in the middle. Attack every pernicious Guardian story or editorial,” (5th Party Convention, 1960).

On the Land Evaluation Bill, Minister West’s remark that even “squatters and pensioners will have to pay land tax too” provoked the Opposition. Does that include unemployed pensioners who depend exclusively on skinny taxable pensions which go for food, house repairs, bills, etc? This is where Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Camille Regis-Robinson and Le Hunte should enter to change this inhumane narrative.

Squatters to pay tax too? Does that mean all squatters will be so legalised? This party-driven squatting phenomenon is filled with schemers, corruption, exposure to insanitary and criminogenic conditions – with only a minority genuinely in need. Last year the Land Settlement Agency (LSA) screamed out to Parliament about the chaotic state of squatting across the country (JSC, May 25, 2017). With the increasing squeeze on the country’s social, housing, health services, etc, it is difficult to disagree with Dr Rowley and the Government’s reservations against increased refugee intake and those imperialistic-driven crime advisories.

As of 2017, LSA CEO Hazar Hosein said there were over 55,000 families with over 200,000 people squatting across the country with an estimated increase of 1,000 people every year. That is, as of now, over 15 per cent of the country’s population with “a further number of non-national also grabbing state lands.” Such free-for-all squatting helps demoralise the hard-working, tax-paying middle class. More than once, Dr Williams early warning was against people “hoping to get something for nothing.”

But then there is the profiteering demon? Lands now selling for $1.5 million to $3 million per lot in places where swamps existed. And two-room houses pelting over the $2 million mark – rising also in demonic fashion – with payment in US dollars. Also, high mortgage interest for first-time home-owners. The free-market has gone mad.

The future generation is in jeopardy. According to the "helpless” LSA chairman, Ossley Francis, there are now “squat lords” who seize and sell state lands especially in the Arima-Toco areas – with the Commissioner of State Lands and other enforcement agencies like the regional municipal corporations not stopping the demonic practice. Part of party politics. As we drift toward the next elections, will our political parties commit to slaying the demons of state corruption, excessive patronage and public immorality? Make Mr Le Hunte happy, please.