Desperate times for UNC

THE EDITOR: There is a saying that desperate times call for desperate measures. This is even more evident given the actions of the beleaguered UNC which seems to be struggling for political relevance in the face of self-inflicted fatal wounds.

Recently the party announced, as part of its political propaganda, that the Government will implement a 25 per cent inheritance tax after the local government elections. This, it claimed, will bring further hardships on the citizenry.

The inheritance tax is currently in effect in the UK and is charged on anything above the value of what is known as the nil-rate band, which for the 2023/24 tax year is set at 325,000 pounds. It may be that some "bright" UNC operative read a British newspaper and tried to impress his superiors with a novel propaganda idea.

Both Minister of Finance Colm Imbert and Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis have vehemently denied the existence or plans to implement an inheritance tax, but this did not stop the hapless Opposition from repeating the myth. The UNC has not even tried to deny the fake news but has continued to repeat it under the assumption that the more a falsehood is repeated, the more it is likely to be believed.

Probably this is a matter which should be reported to Dr Bishnu Ragoonath in his capacity as chairman of the Council for Responsible Political Behaviour as this is clearly irresponsible political behaviour.

The Media Association of TT should also give its views on whether the media should deliberately publish a refuted falsehood under the guise of paid advertisement. The advertising association and those who designed the ads should also give their comments as to the ethics of promoting an advertisement that they know to be deceptive and fallacious.

Desperate times!

RABINDRA MOONAN

San Fernando