Poll suggests PM has strong support for firing minister

--> An opinion poll by the North American Teachers Association (NACTA) suggests that there is mixed reaction by voters over Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar’s decision to fire of Dr. Glenn Ramadharsingh as Minister of the People.

NACTA said in general, it found that people are overwhelmingly supportive of the firm action against Ramadharsingh. But some respondents feel that she could have found another way to discipline him for his behavior aboard a domestic CAL flight from Tobago two weeks ago.

Many said the PM did the right thing, saying sacking the Minister sends a strong message that she will not tolerate arrogant behavior of her Ministers, NACTA said.

Overall, people are of the view that the PM’s action demonstrates strong leadership and that she took the right action to preserve the integrity of her government.

NACTA said it interviewed 310 respondents reflecting the demographics of the population. Seventy three per cent said they support the PM’s decision to fire Ramadharsingh. Eighteen per cent disagreed and nine per cent gave said they had no opinion on the matter.

“Virtually everyone acknowledges that what Glenn did was wrong and should be punished,” NACTA said. However the agency said a popular view was that the punishment could have been less severe. It also makes the point that the poorer people are more sympathetic to Ramadharsingh and believe he could have been given a second chance.

Persad-Bissessar fired Ramadharsingh after meeting with him to discuss the incident in which he was reported to have refused to carry out legitimate instructions given by a flight attendant, reacting to her in an arrogant and hostile manner.