PM knocks critics: PNM must have say in constitutional reform

THE PRIME MINISTER says if university lecturers who teach politics cannot be bothered to follow what the PNM is saying and doing in its special convention, they should be fired.

He was defending the PNM's right to decide on a position on the report of the National Advisory Committee on Constitutional Reform.

Speaking at the party's La Horquetta/Talparo 10th constituency conference in La Horquetta on August 20, Dr Rowley knocked political analysts who said the party's opinion on constitutional reform should not matter in a wider national context.

The Barenda Sinanan-led committee published its report on consultations with the public on August 15. That report listed a myriad of proposed changes to the Constitution, including the appointment of an executive president and changes to the appointment process for the commissioner of police.

After the report was published, the PNM appointed a special committee to examine it and submit recommendations on changes to the party. The recommendations were discussed at the PNM's special convention at the National Academy for Performing Arts in Port of Spain on August 18.

On Tuesday night, Rowley said the party was condemned for presenting its position on the committee's report.

"The misinformers are saying because the PNM has prepared for that, it had to be that the PNM had something before that others didn't have, and therefore, the PNM is making a PNM position.

"And I can tell you, one of those university lecturers actually got quoted today saying the PNM's position in this matter is to be dismissed."

He questioned how conversations on constitutional reform could happen without the PNM's input, saying the party was in government, it was the most experienced and it drove the conversation on reform.

"But if you really want to work for this country, it is not the PNM you must concerned about, it is those who decide, 'I not taking part in that.' And you must ask them, 'What you taking?'

"If you can't find it within you in preparation for or signalling that you would not take part in the conference, then what is your agenda?

"Is it that you are satisfied with what is there now and there is no need for reform of the Constitution? Or that you couldn't be bothered to spend time informing yourself to come to a position to join and contribute?"

He said those who did not want to contribute to this conversation were free to do so. But, he said what galled him were comments by those who were uninformed and made comments to "mislead the public.

"If you couldn't be bothered, if you are a lecturer in the university and your job, paid by taxpayers, is to teach politics and you couldn't be bothered to find out what the PNM is saying and doing in convention, then you should be fired from the university."

As loud cheers went up from party supporters, the PM said if those who were commenting could not be bothered to pay attention to the PNM, they should refrain from commenting.

He said the PNM's position on the committee's report came after meetings with its members in the 41 constituencies, and would remain the party's position going forward.

Rowley also knocked critics of his announcement that Columbus's three ships would be removed from the national coat of arms and replaced with the national instrument, the steelpan. He said this was not a divisive tactic, as all of TT was proud to acknowledge the steelpan as its own.