Dear Editor,
I rarely find grounds for agreement on most matters with the Hon. Gail Teixeira, MP. But from the news reports making the rounds, the word is that she is preparing to give up her Canadian citizenship. Such a thought, if accurately reported, and such an action, if promptly fulfilled, could, and should, only be received with the highest encomiums.
That is what I would term putting money where mouth is; and leading by example; and setting a standard that forces all other parliamentary holders of dual citizenship to make a similar decision and follow through with identical action. They should emulate if they intend to remain in parliament. They must give up one or the other, and this applies to any and every party. I had already publicly praised the announcement by Mr Lenox Shuman that he was readying to do so. Today, I extend the same courtesy and thanks to Ms Teixeira.
These are not easy decisions, especially with citizenship so prized and with all the benefits that accompany its possession. Yet, I say those raising hand to serve this society, its people, its many needs, have to be fully dedicated and intricately enmeshed in its pains, problems, and possible prospects, so as to give of their all. And all it has to be. The realities of the people with the many ills of society cannot be really understood or felt when there is an escape valve, the cushion of a foreign passport, the convenience and comfort that I can pick up and go, and leave the hapless to fend for themselves amidst the challenges of the day. And some of which I (whoever the political personage is) may have initiated, supported, and advocated.
For too long, political figures have learned how to, and capitalised on being in two places at the same time, while reaping the rewards offered by both, while evading the issues existing in the lesser one when things get tough. In my mind, this is the equivalent of wanting to be involved in matrimony, while insisting on maintaining a lover on the side. A rich lover, an available lover, a welcoming lover in times of stress and distress. Let that be yesterday’s practice. Let there be a start with a clean slate.
With an emphasis on the present, I think there should be a “cooling off” period, a kind of “quiet time” during which those impacted and their parties can be given some limited space and limited time to make what I do admit are not simple decisions. Wholesale imitations of the reported decisions and actions taken by Mr Shuman and Ms Teixeira would cause too much disruption and at a very crucial hour in this country’s affairs.
I know that this will not meet with favour in some adamant circles; but I still venture to suggest that, as matters wend their way through the courts and election processes, the opportunity be permitted all political parties and their people so involved to make a commitment one way or another. In other words, given the hung, suspended state of the political and social environments, I believe it makes good sense, and as a practical matter, for the parties to clean their candidates’ lists and present fresh ones in time for the upcoming elections, whenever such should occur. I think that doing otherwise right now would add turmoil to confusion. Now that may sound fair and reasonable to me; but totally unacceptable to many others. I understand.
The questions and positions would be: well, if Ms Gail Teixeira and Mr Lenox Shuman can make up their minds with clarity and purpose, then why not the rest? And why not now? I hear that and admit that both stand on strong principled grounds.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
