UNC’s Rodney Charles: Rowley hiding behind petty issues
THE Leader of the Opposition must stop hiding behind petty issues and step up to the leadership that is expected of him, leadership that he has so far failed to deliver, Public Relations Officer of the United National Congress, Rodney Charles, said on Thursday.
Charles’ statement comes in the wake of the Opposition Leader’s criticism of the Prime Minister attending the World Cup Football games in Brazil, claiming the Prime Minister had abandoned her role.
The UNC PRO scoffed at Dr Rowley’s criticism, saying: “The Leader of the Opposition is usually either silent on important national issues, or speaks on the basis of a total misunderstanding, but is very quick to grasp at issues which do not require him to act, think or sound as a Political Leader should.”
“And this is a case in point. The Prime Minister made a clear public statement on her destination and was also clear on the fact that her trip with her family was at her own expense. The Prime Minister was also very clear on taking action in the Immigration and Passport Office issues, with the Labour Minister having obtained an injunction against illegal strike action.”
“But Dr Rowley’s response is not to suggest what he would have done, or what policies his party would have implemented, rather it is to create a haze of confusion and unfounded question on the Prime Minister’s personal trip.”
Charles added: “This has been Dr Rowley’s pattern for the past four years since taking leadership of his party. He has failed to demonstrate that he has the capacity to respond to national issues, think quickly on his feet and provide solutions. And when he does in fact speak, issues are so misrepresented that he has made himself a man difficult to believe and very hard to trust.”
Reminding that earlier this year, Dr Rowley “secretly left the country for Dubai, for unknown reasons,” Charles said: “The Leader of the Opposition might even want to consider taking a page out of the Prime Minister’s book by rejecting the arrogance, secrecy and dictatorial decision making that he still continues to foist on the people of our country.”
Charles added: “The UNC continues to demand of Keith Rowley and the PNM that they step up to the plate and lift their game by providing alternative plans and policies for taking our country forward. This will set the stage for a reasoned debate that will provide voters with a clear choice. But that would mean that Dr Rowley must abandon his habit of trying to instigate panic and instability at every opportunity, and understand that the public interest is much more important than his personal agenda and inability to come to terms with his failings.”