Opposition MP Stuart Young has accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of “dangerous hypocrisy” over her treatment of Independent Senators, contrasting her recent criticism of the bench with her support for its independence while she was Opposition Leader.
Young’s criticism came after Senate President Wade Mark again used his casting vote to break a 15-15 deadlock, this time securing passage of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill by a 16-15 vote.
It was the second time in less than a week that Mark’s casting vote determined the passage of major legislation, following the same 15-15 deadlock over the Special Operations Bill.
Young said the developments surrounding both pieces of legislation “should concern every law abiding and civic minded citizen.”
He also pointed to the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago’s recent statement concerning Persad-Bissessar’s conduct towards the Independent Senate bench.
“The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago’s recent statement about the conduct of the Prime Minister towards the Independent Senate bench should concern every citizen who values the Constitution and the institutions designed to restrain political power,” Young said.
Drawing a comparison with the former PNM administration, Young recalled the defeat of its Bail Amendment Bill in 2022 after Independent Senators joined the then UNC Opposition in voting against it.
“The PNM Government lost that vote, however we did not respond by attacking the constitutional role of the Independent Bench,” he said.
“No one in the PNM government launched an unhinged, divisive and dangerous rant against the Independent Senators the way Kamla Persad-Bissessar has done.”
Young said the former government instead “went back to the drawing board” with the legislation.
“That is how a responsible, mature political party that respects democracy operates,” he said.
He also recalled Persad-Bissessar’s position following the 2022 defeat, when, as Opposition Leader, she urged Independent Senators to “continue to be as independent as you always seem to be.”
“Independence apparently deserved praise when it frustrated the PNM Government. Today, when that same constitutional independence frustrates the UNC, the Independent Bench is suddenly ‘demonic’ and ‘satanic’,” Young said.
“This is unacceptable and Kamla’s unhinged and unbecoming behaviour should not be condoned; in fact it must be condemned, and I so do.”
Young said disagreement between governments and Independent Senators was an ordinary feature of the parliamentary system.
“Governments will lose votes. Independent Senators will sometimes disagree with them. That is how our democratic system is supposed to work,” he said.
“What should trouble every civic minded citizen is when respect for constitutional checks and balances appears to depend on whether those institutions give the UNC Government what it wants.”
Young ended by warning against what he described as a threat of “dictatorship”, declaring: “This is our Trinidad and Tobago and [we] must protect her from dictatorship and we will do so.”
“We will remember. Time longer than twine.”
