Dear Editor,
Why do politicians, who messed up intentionally, try to caress the tension they have created, rather than acknowledging their gross miscalculation? In fact, the more effort the opposition applies in explaining their planned tactic that backfired a week ago, the more it exposes their desperation to get back into government. Their explanation has no logic whatsoever, which just increases the perception of them being weak and untrustworthy.
The selling point for these desperate MPs is two-fold: the first scenario implies that the government has a slim majority, which creates insecurity and the opportunity for this anxiety to reoccur repeatedly. How can they be so sure, when every single parliamentarian is obligated to work in the best interest of the people? And, haven’t they made this promise to the electorate, when they were on the campaign trail a few months ago?
In 2014, when the constant shift in government became irritable, I mentioned that it does not matter how many MPs support the sitting government. If their motive is purely self-interest, the stability of that government still hangs in the balance, because the intention is what determines the stability and not the quantity. Haven’t governments toppled repeatedly because of this same situation, one that forced DP and UP into opposition, to allow NA and USP to govern?
Secondly, the opposition claimed that they also informed the Chairlady of their absence, preceding the day of the gathering. Is it not suspicious that all 5 MPs would choose to be absent simultaneously, when Friday was still a working day? And, is it not that there was a scheduled meeting prior to the 10:00am gathering? What was very striking is to hear the supposed leader of NA upon her return from her personal appointment asked members if they are not done with the meeting.
With absolutely no concern, she proceeded to her office to work. The meeting was reconvened at 12 noon. Wasn’t she still in her office at the time when the gathering needed just one more MP to form the quorum? Why didn’t she support the meeting then, since she claimed that the other members of the opposition were unavailable, due to the recess? Then whose work was this MP doing, since she was too busy to handle the “People’s Business?” And who is paying for her office?
What was amazing are this long and unrelated details to justify their absence. Since they have taken the Parliament to Marigot and social media, why didn’t this MP vent her frustrations where her views are more acceptable? Mind you, the opposition stressed that parliament is on recess, but still indicated that the convocation was late, and everyone had already made plans for the break. But in the same breath, it was suggested that the meeting could have been held at either 4:00 pm or 6:00 pm. So, were they truly unavailable or was the stunt deliberate?
Analyse the situation, people. Out of the 7 members of the opposition, 2 were away on a working visit. What are the odds of all 5 members being absent at the same time, if the act was not fully orchestrated? Can the public recall how the entire opposition voted to appoint MPs to this current presidium? If not, the behaviour was identical. There are two different parties, yet every member voted for the same individuals to fill the three positions.
Nothing is more disheartening than when one accepts the position to lead but fails to honour his or her word. Does the population remember when NA’s professed leader begged the people to vote for her because she would do things differently than her predecessor? What has the population experienced since the so-called change of guard? The Mighty Shadow puts it best: “It’s the same old Khaki pants.”
People, it is time to quit putting your trust in politicians, who do not have your interest at heart. No amount of explanation will change the deliberate attempt to sabotage the smooth process to install the newly-seated parliamentarians.
Joslyn Morton
