Seek a fresh mandate.
That’s what the People’s National Movement (PNM) Government should do now following the latest “debacle” concerning the hiring and firing of Marlene McDonald in the space of three days, says Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
“The Prime Minister should understand the country has lost patience with his incompetence and (he) should now remove himself from office and seek a fresh mandate. He continues to show he’s unfit to lead T&T,” Persad-Bissessar said in a statement yesterday following the revocation of McDonald’s appointment.
“This latest debacle is yet another episode in the unravelling saga of the Rowley Government and another example of the Prime Minister’s questionable judgement—it took just three days for the Prime Minister’s (recent) reshuffle to be confirmed as a misdeal.
“He continues to demonstrate poor leadership and judgment, and the latest events surrounding the re-appointment of Marlene McDonald and her dismissal in the space of just three days shows he’s ill-suited for the job. The problems Rowley now faces within his Cabinet are because of his lack of vision, leadership and judgement when choosing these individuals.”
Persad-Bissessar added, “The Prime Minister restored Ms McDonald to ministerial office even as she was under active investigation by both the Integrity Commission and the police and whilst concerns continued to be expressed about her fitness for office.
“It appears nothing has changed since Ms McDonald was removed as a minister and the Prime Minister should have already known his MP had questionable associations. The reappointment of Ms McDonald highlighted the absence of capable and skilled personnel available to the Prime Minister.”
On McDonald’s own culpability in her latest sacking, Persad-Bissessar said: “For her part, Ms McDonald took to her swearing-in ceremony at President’s House someone who’s well known to the police and did so in breach of protocol and established rules. This took place while the country remains besieged by violent crimes, including the horrific murder of a schoolchild and the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.”
MP Roodal Moonilal also noted that McDonald’s departure did not signal an end to several issues raised.
“We now need investigations into the circumstances surrounding her swearing-in ceremony, as that matter speaks of treason and the jeopardising of the safety of the President, whose security has been compromised by what occurred,” he said.
“In this respect, both Ms McDonald and the Prime Minister are culpable. The ultimate responsibility for her appointment was the Prime Minister’s. He can’t shift the blame regarding proper vetting of background. He ought to have known what others knew.
“This is a terrible indictment on his judgement and discretion. The situation leaves him as a’ lame duck’ Prime Minister without moral authority and legitimacy.”
Moonilal added, “If the Prime Minister couldn’t perform the duties of Prime Minister alone, he certainly can’t handle an additional portfolio of Public Utilities, which he’s taking on. And he’s now directly in charge of TSTT—does this mean more loan arrangements will be approved?”
MP Suruj Rambachan said the situation denoted Government was in a state of chaos.
“What was the compelling factor that caused him to reappoint Ms McDonald and (Nicole) Olivierre) in the first place? Was there some dissonance in the PNM threatening Government’s stability?”