UNC falls flat in country’s darkest hour

THE EDITOR: It was British constitutional expert Sir Ivor Jennings who opined on the importance of the opposition to a well-functioning parliamentary democracy.

On that score, the last two months have been devastating for the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led UNC Opposition. It was all over the place on covid19. It fell flat in the nation’s darkest hour since the 1990 coup.

Instead of having a studied, co-ordinated and strategic approach to critique the Government’s handling of the pandemic, the UNC was diffused, ineffective and often lacking in depth. Indeed, the only memory I will carry with me of the UNC in this crisis is that of the Opposition Leader picking tomatoes.

The UNC must now regroup and consider a new strategy because the wind is with the PNM. The party has lost considerable relevance. I am not sure the UNC is capable of that change or of organisation introspection. The die may already be cast and Dr Rowley may be spending another five years at Whitehall.

The population knows that the PNM is widely seen to have managed this crisis well. Added to that, the economy, while not in the best place, is weathering the storm.

The Opposition strategy of youthful newbies in the front line does not inspire confidence it is a government in waiting. The UNC also seems to have surrendered the middle class to the PNM or to political disinterest.

I am saying these things because TT needs a strong opposition to keep any government in check. Unfortunately, the UNC of the 11th Republican Parliament will be remembered as one of the weakest parliamentary oppositions since independence.

B
HAVAN RAMADHAR

Barataria