Warner scores an own goal
THE EDITOR: The accord between the Partnership Government and the official Opposition (PNM) in curbing the upsurge in violent crime has been viewed by all (business and private communities) as a step in the right direction. The most prominent of the naysayers (Jack Warner and the ILP) have decided to scoff at this urgently needed collaboration. If ever there was a serious “own goal” scored, this is it.
Warner, in his blinkered political view that the “green” Liberals have the answers to all ills facing Trinidad and Tobago, must now be viewed as “indeed green and inexperienced” if he truly believes his own rhetoric. Just as Warner’s recapture of Chaguanas West was lauded as a plus in local politics, the Partnership and the PNM have also broken new ground. Should the Liberals win a few seats in either local or national elections, will they cause unnecessary problems with working in a holistic manner to reduce crime?
Contrary to Warner’s self praise, more persons see his tenure as Minister of National Security as just “stirring up the dust” rather than removing the big boulders of crime. The win in Chaguanas West cannot be replicated throughout the country. Why? Because for the very same reason that the Partnership lost so badly in the Tobago elections in January 2013. This is where we understand that its “different strokes for different folks.” Mr Warner’s magic financial wand will not be golden enough to house, employ, feed, and control Laventille East, Laventille West, Beetham, Morvant and Sea Lots. The people of these areas need ten times more “gifts” than the voters in Chaguanas West.
Mr Warner’s statement that he had no idea of the degree of neglect being suffered, until he walked the streets of Laventille was his most careless utterance to date and a mistake that will haunt the ILP. The former Minister of National Security did not know that he did not know?
Lynette Joseph
via email