The Manicou Report

Wendy, before you decide whether or not you want to run for a seat under the PNM, why is it that only the MPs were polled? Did the PNM stand to lose the elections based on the perceived non-performance of MPs Valley, Hinds, and Hart? Why change a good tyre? Then why is it that MPs Valley, Hinds and Hart, who have no dwindling in support from either constituents or party groups, are being spit out just before the elections?

Why didn’t anyone ask us what we thought of Lenny Saith? After all, government minsters affect citizens more directly than, for example, the MP from Point Fortin affects people living in Port of Spain North. So why no Bill Johnson poll on government ministers? No one asked because no one cares.

Why is it that even though things have changed so little with regards to crime, the Minister of National Security STILL HAS A JOB? Why is it that Health Care is in shambles and the Minister of Health can proceed without his job being taken away from him?

Where is the poll on Hazel Manning? Why is it that our Education system is a mess and every year schools fail to open for the simple reason that work begins too late.

Is it because everything is going exactly according to plan?

Is this about control? Does the PNM decide who will run for elections on their platform based on who they think they can control and manipulate? A minister can be changed at the snap of a finger. Cabinets can be shuffled and portfolios can be offered or taken away all before the Prime Minister has breakfast. But it’s those pesky MP’s that give trouble. They can refuse to play along, they can shun the party line and no one can touch them. They can refuse to vote as they are told. They will even attempt to use “conscience” in making their decisions. They will band together with other strong-willed and like-minded MPs and act on what they think is right. They will speak out about smelters, Toruba and the operations over at UTT. They will sit out the rest of their term on the back bench raising hell where hell shouldn’t be raised.

It would stand to reason that a “caring, loving” Government like this one should not be in the market for plasticine, but they are. And many of the candidates going up on a PNM ticket probably won’t believe that they are plasticine, but what they don’t know won’t hurt them.