Colm: Opposition wins no friends

OPPOSING legislation or programmes which benefit the population will not help politicians to keep their support. Finance Minister Colm Imbert said this on Wednesday at a luncheon hosted by Trinidad Union Club at the Kapok Hotel in Port of Spain. Imbert, who is also People's National Movement (PNM) chairman, said there are politicians in TT who hold steadfastly to the belief that "if you don't oppose, you're going to lose support." He declared, "That is not my view, that is not my government's view, that is not my party's view."

Whether in government or opposition, Imbert said the PNM always takes a bipartisan approach to any matter which benefits the population. He recalled several instances from 2010 to 2015 when the PNM supported legislation brought by the then People's Partnership government. Imbert said the opposition United National Congress has not always adopted that approach from 2015 to present. He added there is "nothing to lose from a bipartisan approach."

On the Whistleblower Protection Bill 2018, which was being debated on W in the House of Representatives, Imbert said Government intends to take the bill to the vote very soon. He said bills can remain forever in a joint select committee and even when they emerge, the Opposition could still vote against them. On procurement legislation, Imbert said Government is awaiting revised regulations from the Procurement Regulator. This was the final step needed to fully implement this law.

Imbert said the regulator sent draft regulations to his ministry last November but they had deficiencies. Government remains committed to campaign finance reform legislation. Imbert explained this was an initiative being advanced by the Prime Minister and National Security Minister Stuart Young.