Kangaloo the wrong choice

THE EDITOR: On Friday the nation was informed of the Government's intention to nominate Senate President Christine Kangaloo for the post of president of TT. This has to be a slap in the face of the people of the country.

This is a clear act of political bias. Kangaloo is the sitting Senate President and was appointed to this position because she is a member of the PNM. She is a former PNM Member of Parliament – during the Manning term from 2007-2010 – and also a former minister of government. She has been Senate President since the Rowley-led Government came into office in 2015. Therefore she is very much an active member of the PNM. To say she’s not is just being dishonest.

Further, if Kangaloo becomes the next president of TT then it can safely be said the tentacles of the PNM will now be embedded in every institution of this country, especially our constitutionally independent bodies where the President is the person that constitutes these bodies.

To which bodies do I refer? Well, let’s begin with the Parliament. The President appoints nine Independent senators. With Kangaloo as president, how can the assurance be given that the people being appointed are truly independent and not PNM stooges being placed to ensure legislation is passed for the Government's benefit?

Also, all service commissions are appointed by the President, such as the Public Service Commission, the Teaching Service Commission, the Police Service Commission, the Elections and Boundaries Commission, the Integrity Commission and even the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.

All the appointed people to these commissions are supposed to be independent of political parties, especially the governing political party. With Kangaloo as president, can we be certain that will happen?

Now some would say that former president Arthur NR Robinson came from the Government of the UNC/NAR "coalition" as a cabinet minister and MP. However, Robinson showed how independent he was when he clashed with the sitting government on many occasions.

Who can forget that Robinson refused to accept the appointment of people to the government bench in the Senate because they weren't successful at the polls. He even removed a sitting government with the 18-18 tie in 2001.

Sadly, I cannot see Kangaloo disagreeing with Prime Minister Rowley on anything. So, she cannot be deemed as independent of the Government.

Therefore I am calling on the Prime Minister to withdraw this nomination and consider the UNC's nominee, Israel Khan SC. Khan's independent track record (and significant legal experience) speaks for itself. Further, Khan has also made significant contributions to the development of the country.

Mr Prime Minister, if you truly value the democracy of TT and our Constitution, please withdraw Kangaloo's nomination and consider Khan's.

BRIAN BAIG

former UNC senator