Lee repeats UNC warning on Kangaloo

POINTE-A-Pierre MP David Lee reiterated the UNC's opposition to the Prime Minister's decision to stand by Senate President Christine Kangaloo as Government's nominee to succeed President Paula-Mae Weekes.

Lee was a member of an opposition delegation that met with Dr Rowley, Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Camille Robinson-Regis and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young on January 6 at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's to discuss presidential nominees.

Kangaloo served as Pointe-a-Pierre MP from September 2007 to May 2010. Lee has been Pointe-a-Pierre MP since May 2010.

In a statement, Lee said, "Just as my constituents of Pointe-a-Pierre rejected Christine Kangaloo as their Member of Parliament thirteen years ago, citizens must reject her nomination as President as it threatens the most important office within our Republic that is supposed to be free from all political interference or bias."

While Rowley could speak about Kangaloo's experience in public life, Lee said, "The fact remains that this is not a question of her professional background but a question of her political ability to put country and constitution ahead of Balisier House partisan politics."

He reiterated the UNC's claim that as President, Kangaloo could "erode independence as well as reduce public confidence in all state institutions that fall under the remit of the office of the President. "

Lee warned, “Who don’t have eyes to see will feel.”

He said the UNC has nominated attorney Israel Khan, SC, as its presidential nominee.

"Th Opposition has full confidence in Mr Israel Khan, as besides his contribution to national development he has been outspoken against all parties in the past, demonstrating he puts people and country ahead of politics."

In a notice in the Gazette dated December 23, 2022, Speaker and chairman of the Electoral College, Bridgid Annisette-George said the college will convene on January 20 to elect a new President.

Weekes, a retired Justice of Appeal, took office on 19 March, 2018, after being elected on January 19, that year. As she was the sole candidate nominated, she was deemed elected without the need for a vote and made history by becoming the country's first female Head of State.

She is the sixth President after Sir Ellis Clarke (September 24, 1976 – March 19, 1987), Noor Hassanali (March 20, 1987 – March 17, 1997), ANR Robinson (March 18, 1997 – March 16, 2003), George Maxwell Richards (March 17, 2003 – March 18, 2013) and Anthony Carmona (March 19, 2013 – March 18, 2018).

Carmona and Robinson (deceased) served one term, while Clarke, Hassanali and Richards – all deceased – served two terms.

In the college, the Government holds the majority of the votes with its 37 members (22 MPs, 15 senators)

The Opposition has a total of 25 votes (19 MPs, six senators)

The nine independents have one vote each. The independent senators are not guided by a party whip and do not caucus on any matter.