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PM: Terms limits, recall, run-off and fixed dates coming
Posted On 04 Aug 2014
…constitution reforms to give power to the people
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar
TERM limits, right of recall, run-off ballot voting and fixed dates for Parliament are the changes being made to the nation’s constitution to transfer the power of politicians into the hands of people, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said on Monday.
Telling the House of Representatives that the reforms represent the “will and desires” of citizens gathered over 17 consultations in both Trinidad & Tobago, the Prime Minister said: “We have had our fair share of leaders who continued to rule and refused to give way even though it was obvious that the time for change had come. This can suffocate new talent and stifle a democracy.”
Saying that the reforms will deliver more power to the people to influence the future of governance, the Prime Minister said consultations were held across the country and the report represents what the majority of people have asked for. “It is what people want,” the Prime Minister told Parliamentarians.
On new provisions to recall non-performing elected representatives, the Prime Minister told the House: “The right of recall does not yet exist at Westminster and so this is a very bold step. It may well be that Trinidad and Tobago may lead the way for Westminster because we would be the first Westminster-style democracy that will be adopting the right of recall.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also focused on provisions for run-off voting, telling the House of Representatives that such a system will give more power to people and stakeholders of minority parties.
“The voices of the minority would be respected even as effect is given to the will of the majority and, every single vote would matter and count as the possibility of voting a second time will breathe new life and meaning into the democratic process.”
The Prime Minister also put forward reforms for fixed election dates, saying: “Long gone would be the days of silly boasts and taunts about leaders ‘having the date in their back pocket’. This provides clarity for the population at large and enhances the ability to participate in our democratic life, for all will know the electoral timetable.”
The Prime Minister added: “We are keeping those promises to place power, and greater power, in the hands of the people.”
On March 2, 2013 a National Commission on Constitutional Reform (NCCR) was established to “engage in the widest possibly consultation as a pre-requisite to constitutional reform”. The Commission was chaired by the Honourable Member for St Augustine, the Minister of Legal Affairs, Prakash Ramadhar and included Madam Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy, Mr Justice Sebastian Ventour, Dr Merle Hodge, Dr Hamid Ghany and Mr Carlos Dillon.
I have just read your Prime Minister’s Statement on Constitutional Reform as they relate to Term Limits for Prime Ministers, Right of Recall of individual Members of the House of Representatives and Fixed Dates for Elections and I have literally wet myself laughing. Now that I have stopped laughing and in the process of drying myself let me share some thoughts on what passes for serious governance in your country.
I am still to determine whether your Prime Minister is a comedienne or treats her citizens as clowns. As a Trini born UK citizen involved in the Democratic Process let me offer my take, as you say.
(1) Term Limits
Be careful what you say about other countries and how you say it. For instance and I quote your PM – “But I would want to say that, whilst American Presidents leave office with dignity and grace, Westminster Prime Ministers cling to power to the very end and are often forced out of office in indignity and disgrace. These were the words I read long ago in an article by Professor Selwyn Ryan. And so, whilst American Presidents leave Mr. Speaker, there is empirical evidence to suggest that this may well be true”.
You should be aware that leaders of political parties in the UK step down once they fail to win elections. No one is dragged out feet first.
You should carry out a poll of USA and Guyanese citizens and you would be surprised if many can name any benefits derived from term limits. What they would tell you that they lost their best Presidents in Bill Clinton and Bharat Jagdeo because of it.
(2) Right of Recall
The House of Commons has 653 elected MPs of whom a dozen or so are Ministers, the rest are surplus to requirement and some are ‘sour grapes’ who would try almost anything to discredit and/or remove other MPs. Hence this nonsense about Right of Recall which will never come to pass in the 21st Century.
You should get a copy of the 2003 Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the Recall Process in British Columbia on the The Recall and Initiative Act 1994 which and came into force in February 1995. Basically what it said is that “considerable problems exist and significant changes need to be made if the legislation is to be substantially retained in its current form. Most important, using a recall petition as a complete electoral process to remove a Member of the Legislative Assembly is clearly inappropriate”
“ Of the twenty (20) recall petitions issued between 1997 and 2001. Nine petitions have been issued to date during the current Parliament in BC, two proceeded to verification, and one continued through the full verification process. However, All 20 petitions failed.”
You should also ask the citizens of New Delhi what became of their imitative.
If you think preparing and conducting local and general election are complicated and costly you should try the recall process.
The norm is that the recall process can be initiated anytime after the first year so why three year provision in T&T?
(3) Fixed Election Date
Is your Prime Minister suggesting that every government should remain in office for the full five year term? What if they are all recalled after three years?
WHY NOT INTRODUCE PRFOPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION INSTEAD OF RUNNING OFF.