In all the noise surrounding the pre-mature 2010 general election, citizens are likely to forget one tiny detail about Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his nepotism.In our system of Parliamentary democracy, it is generally accepted that a leader of government can bring into cabinet through the Senate suitable men and women who have not been elected by the people.
That is guaranteed in the constsitution. But with that guarantee also comes an understanding that the person(s) so appointed would have to be an elected member at a subsequent election if she/he wishes to re-enter the cabinet.
Mr. Manning has shown that he is either ignorant of this or is afraid that his wife, Senator Hazel Manning cannot win even a safe PNM seat.
Since his elevation to the office of prime minister in the 2001 presidential coup, Mr Manning has continued to appoint his wife to a senior cabinet post.
I am not qualified to judge how effective the lady has been in her several cabinet portfolios but I find it to be an affront to our democracy for her to sit in cabinet election after election, to conttribute to decisions of the executive, to preside over a government ministry without ever having a single person vote for her.
Mrs Manning was appointed through the back door in the interim government in 2001-2002, the government in 2002 and again in 2007.
Isn't it time she faced the people and seek their endorsement before going back into cabinet?
I appeal to the citizens to demand that Mrs Manning seek election as a member of Parliament and if she doesn't she must not be given a seat in the next cabinet.
Capil Bissoon | Toronto, Canada
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