(Trinidad Guardian) Inexperience and rash decisions are to be blamed for challenges facing the coalition People’s Partnership (PP). This is the view of political analysts who firmly believes the first anniversary of the “Fyzabad Declaration” that saw five national leaders coming together to form a political party, should be used as a learning experience rather than a reason to celebrate. In fact, as the PP gears up to celebrate its first anniversary of its crushing electoral victory over the People’s National Movement on May 24, the analysts are warning that decisive action must be taken and a change in governance must be adopted immediately if the political party intends to contest another election. The PP is also being urged to address the issue of crime that is said to be negatively impacting the Government and affecting citizens.
Sagewan-Alli: Stop pointing fingers
Not mixing words, political scientist Dr Indera Sagewan-Alli, told Sunday Guardian that the PP has failed to address critical issues affecting the nation. In addition, she said the time had come to stop pointing fingers at the former administration and accept blame for failures.
“Clearly the only objective at that time was winning an election and other critical matters were left to be worked out in office. Unfortunately, campaign rhetoric required platform presentations that reflected an understanding of the challenges facing the country and moreover that the presenters had the solutions and capacity to implement them once voted into office. “They talked a good talk that raised popular expectations of the people who believed that in no time the problems of crime, raising unemployment and high prices would be at an end.
“One year down the road and the reality is much of these ills have worsened. All the blame certainly cannot be laid at the feet of this government, however, they are running out of opportunities to blame the People’s National Movement (PNM) for everything.” Sagewan-Alli said. Noting that the expectation for quick results was not unrealistic, Sagewan-Alli said many of the government ministers previously formed an administration, so certain demands were expected. Acknowledging that Finance Minister Winston Dookeran’s handling of the public sector wage negotiations and investment plans must be commended, Sagewan-Alli said the economic performance of the economy remains gloomy.
“The Minister of Finance’s commitment to fiscal discipline and reduction of the country’s deficit is good. This has brought us “A” ratings. However, it has come at a price. The economic performance of the economy has continued to worsen in the last year. Both investor and consumer confidence are at an all- time low. Consumers are not spending as we need and investors are not engaging in new investment.”Stressing the need for the PP to get its house in order, Sagewan-Alli said some faux pas should not have been made.
“The Security Intelligence Agency fiasco; there is no excuse that could justify such an appointment. Crime remains the number one problem even as it is the government’s stated number one priority. Claims of political interference at a television station and the response that no one complained when it was the PNM is not acceptable. This is supposed to be new politics.” Sagewan-Alli also knocked the Government for the period of time being taken to appoint state boards and foreign ambassadors. “After one year is unacceptable. And even so, one is hardpressed to understand the appropriateness of some of the appointments. For instance, the fiasco with the initial appointment of a Jamaican High Commissioner, who was rejected by the Jamaican Government. The continued strife among board members of Caribbean Airlines which is affecting the performance of the state-subsidised entity yet the Government seems unable to act decisively in bringing a resolution.”
Suggesting that better planning is definitely needed, to chart the way forward, Sagewan-Alli said better vision is needed. “The country is still after one year largely directionless. We are yet to understand what this government’s vision is for transforming and indeed diversifying the economic base of the country in the context of a post 2008 global crisis. The government was not put in place to tell us what the problems are. We know them. We voted them into office to implement solutions and to date we are seeing too little of that.”
Ragoonath: Inexperience to blame
Expressing similar views, Dr Bishnu Ragoonath said the intervention by the Prime Minister to quell unrest is a move that should not have taken place. He said inexperience is to blame for this move. “We have seen in a lot of cases where several issues have had to fall back on the Prime Minister. This should not be but it is because some of her ministers lack experience. There have been many; but the most recent is the crisis with the doctors. The Prime Minister should not have been involved in this issue.” Ragoonath who also cited governance as a challenge affecting the PP, said more accountability and transparency should be forthcoming:
“The greatest challenge for the PP to date is how they have managed the structure of governance. They campaigned and promised to be accountable and this is what people are looking forward to people. Clearly, experience is lacking. In having come together, there was a concern if the PP would have remained together given what has happened with other coalition governments. There is always a challenge that coalitions would break up but there is still a long way to go.”
Ryan: PP survived, but…
Also echoing similar sentiments was Dr Selwyn Ryan who said the PP was yet to make a significant mark since assuming office. Ryan said: “The PP defied the odds. The political party survived while many thought the political party would have not. However, we are still waiting on their main performance to date. The PP has been faced with rough circumstances leaving many to be concerned but they have been able to hold it together. Inexperience is definitely affecting the party and they are performing how many thought they would. Those that believed that crime would have been addressed were not thinking realistically because all political parties who assume office always use the issue as a political gimmick” was rejected by the Jamaican Government. The continued strife among board members of Caribbean Airlines which is affecting the performance of the state-subsidised entity yet the Government seems unable to act decisively in bringing a resolution.”
Suggesting that better planning is definitely needed, to chart the way forward, Sagewan-Alli said better vision is needed. “The country is still after one year largely directionless. We are yet to understand what this government’s vision is for transforming and indeed diversifying the economic base of the country in the context of a post 2008 global crisis. The government was not put in place to tell us what the problems are. We know them. We voted them into office to implement solutions and to date we are seeing too little of that.”
