Imagine, in the first six months of governance, the PNM has had its first firing and Cabinet reshuffle. What were they saying about Persad-Bissessar again?
The PM was clearly pressured into removing McDonald after the issue failed to die down. They couldn’t sweep it under the carpet as they have done in all their years as Government. Whilst everyone is commending the PM, I think the script was set from the time Persad-Bissessar removed the first minister and it would have been atrocious not to adhere to that precedent.
Whilst it is all well and good that the PM, after much hesitation, fired his Housing Minister, I think he needs to go a step further as it is simply not good enough to remove her as minister but retain her as Member of Parliament when she, it appears, abused that very office.
I would also add that the MP should also consider her political future in the PNM as she is the Deputy Political Leader. Is this the kind of person the PM wants to represent the PNM, the image of the PNM? It makes you wonder why they ever had an issue with Jack Warner!
The buck certainly does not stop at relieving McDonald of her ministerial portfolio. The PM must show a little more fortitude to match his victory speech on the night of September 7, 2015.
Allan Hewitt
Maraval