Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her female PP MPs weren’t waving goodbye when they posed—on a photographer’s request—for a picture after last Friday’s final sitting of the House of Representatives, marking the end of the Tenth Parliament (2010-2015).
But for a number of MPs both on the PP Government side and PNM Opposition team, it was likely the last stint as MPs, and for embattled ILP leader Jack Warner in particular, facing US charges and possible extradition, the future is doubly unknown.
Several PP MPs came over to shake Warner’s hand at session’s end, including Tim Gopeesingh, Fuad Khan, COP’s Winston Dookeran and others. Warner was brief and low-toned in his comments to the media after the prime minister’s election date announcement. He left the Parliament alone and walked out of the chamber, unsmiling, with his head slightly bowed.
Consequently, there was some measure of emotion in the parliament chamber last Friday evening after the session ended. Persad-Bissessar reached out to PNM deputy leader Marlene McDonald, shaking hands warmly, and other MPs moved around the parliament floor bidding farewell—some temporarily, others maybe not—and sharing similar greetings, after five years of often fierce political battle.
Along with that aspect of parliamentary life, the term of the country’s first female Prime Minister also brought with it cabinet changes annually: approximately 24 ministerial shifts including 15 dismissals and three resignations, formation of Warner’s ILP, large-scale shifts on the opposition senate bench in 2013 and a PNM leadership contest where incumbent Keith Rowley prevailed, plus loss of three PP seats from its original 29-seat majority, and loss of ground in Tobago in the 2013 THA polls.
The PM also held the PP together despite the departure of the MSJ partner in 2012; TOP fragmentation in 2013; COP infighting; and COP seniors Winston Dookeran and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan voting against government’s controversial run-off bill last year
After last Friday’s session, PP MPs had a social gathering at the nearby Hyatt where memories of the term—good and bad—were shared, officials said. Later that evening, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar met with representatives of all constituencies in Claxton Bay. Meetings are also being scheduled with the COP on candidate selections.
The Prime Minister, in her final address to the outgoing Tenth Parliament, signalled some of her thoughts on how the session had gone when she said, “I hope the next Parliament can put party politics to one side and strive to introduce the highest standards to our political process. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government. This is what the wonderful people of our nation deserve and this is what we must deliver on their behalf.”
After the Parliament concluded, some parliamentarians from the various sides shared their views on what might have been the last goodbyes and what may be ahead for some:
PP POINTE-A-PIERRE MP ERROL MCLEOD:
“One PNM MP who I said farewell to on Friday was the Diego Martin Central MP. I think that young man is exemplary. As for my future? Nomination is still being considered, nothing is finalised. But I think the PP has done extremely well for the past five years, and I have the impression this country has a whole lot more to benefit from the PP in a second term—watch for it!”
PP SAN JUAN MP FUAD KHAN:
“It wasn’t too emotional for me on Friday. I shook hands with Jack, yes. Whether I’ll see him again in the Parliament? I can’t say. I’m not sure about myself either. I haven’t put in nomination papers and I’m uncertain I will. Sometimes you have to consider your family and professional life after giving so many years to politics. I’ve seen many politicians—from Panday and Manning to Eddie Hart—after you give your life to politics and politics gets rid of you, you’re forgotten. I don’t want to be in that position. But for now, yes, my seat may be winnable for the UNC.”
PP COUVA SOUTH MP RUDY INDARSINGH:
“When you’re in an environment where you know people and work with them there would of course be a hint of nostalgia about it being the last time you may work with them. But politics is a dynamic landscape.
I’ve filed nomination papers to contest the seat again, but am willing to serve wherever placed. During the term, I served in Works, Local Government, Labour briefly, and in Finance. I’m committed to this party and am not a political grasshopper. We’ve not done all yet but the PP has always been and will continue to be about T&T’s most valuable resource—it’s people who make the country what it is.”
PP TUNAPUNA MP WINSTON DOOKERAN: “My emotions at the end of the Parliament? It was both a sense of achievement and a sense of expectation—those were the two things going through my mind at the time as the various colleagues exchanged greetings. And for my own future—it’s very open. That’s all I’ll say for today.”
PP SAN FERNANDO WEST MP CAROLYN SEEPERSAD-BACHAN: “It wasn’t unpleasant for me, I simply wished everyone all the best including parliament staff...Going back up again? I’m not sure currently.”
PP NAPARIMA MP NIZAM BAKSH: “(Friday) was extremely emotional as end of term, but more than that the camaraderie exhibited by both sides in the chamber after the session ended was really positive. I feel that should be how it should be at all times. If we had that sort of atmosphere all the time...we could really get things done easier and smoother for T&T and the public should follow that example of camaraderie that was displayed there. As for my future, I’m filling out my nomination papers as we speak.”
PP ARIMA MP RODGER SAMUEL: “It was kind of a sad day. Wow, the five years has just come and gone like that. I hugged several PNM MPs, I know some of them from church and from schooldays. I know I wouldn’t see some of them if I return to the House since about nine of them aren’t contesting again and the House may have a lot of new faces. So it was a feeling like at the end of the school term and you’re sad as you might not see your friends again. I hope to return, I’d like to contest again as I know we’ve delivered a lot in Arima.”
PP TABAQUITE MP SURUJ RAMBACHAN: “After 35 years in public life—and this was the first time I was an MP—one knows political office has an end so one mustn’t be attached to it, you serve with detachment... I’ve filed to contest the seat again, but I’ll serve anywhere the Prime Minister puts me to serve on a winning team that will prevent the brutality of the PNM from affecting T&T. Her leadership ability in keeping the coalition together, even in the face of union rumblings, cannot be overlooked since it shows great understanding of diversity management.”
PP MP LOPINOT MP LINCOLN DOUGLAS: “It was really two emotions for me: the first was a sense of relief that we got an election date and the second was anticipation as nobody’s been confirmed yet as candidates...”
PP FYZABAD MP CHANDRESH SHARMA: “This is my seventh term in Parliament so you build a bond with people. We’re all members and sometimes you may have a gut feeling you may not see each other again, so we wish everyone well and continue to serve in any way we can. But yes...I’m filing nomination papers to contest again.”
PNM PoS NORTH MP PATRICIA MCINTOSH: “We’ve been there for five years struggling together as an opposition team, so last Friday was indeed with a certain amount of sadness for those of us, like me, who aren’t going back up, as I know I would not be returning to be part of that team. But we have to move on. Let me tell you a joke, I woke up this morning wondering what bill we’d be doing on Friday! You see how much you get involved with the work. So yes, I’ll miss it but I’m prepared to move on. I’m assisting PoS North candidate Stuart Young with the campaign as I want to see the PNM return to government and endorsed him. Serving again in some form? If any offer is made I’ll assess and wherever I can serve T&T, I shall.”
PT FORTIN MP PAULA GOPEE-SCOON: “I was indeed a bit emotional after the session ended from the point of view as an active parliamentarian who won’t be any more, since I’m not contesting, and will be out of the actual Lower House. But I continue to be involved politically with the PNM, assisting the Pt Fortin campaign and other areas where I can. So I’m only finished with one aspect and I intend to be involved with the PNM until I die. So it’s not over for me. Even if I have to resort to private life, I can fit in at private sector level or perhaps the multinational arena. So you’re simply on to a new phase of life, but guaranteed, I’m committed to serving and I’ll continue that actively.”
PNM DIEGO MARTIN CENTRAL MP AMERY BROWNE: “I have a message for the youths: Yes, it is possible to be decent and honest and caring and to serve with integrity in this nation. Yes, it is possible to provide genuine service without scandal and without any abuse of office for the gain of self, family and friends. Yes, it is possible to maintain one's principles and to stand firm in the face of intimidation and bribery. Yes, it is possible remain untainted by the race-baiting and viciousness that are all around us. And yes, as a young servant of the people I remain committed to the development of my community and my country.
“I love my country, and I’ve had the honour of serving in the House of Representatives for seven continuous years; just over two years in government and for five in the challenging role of opposition MP. I thank Almighty God, Diego Martin Central constituents, the people of T&T, and the PNM for this rare privilege and honour. I remain humbled by the warmth of embrace that people from all walks of life continue to extend to me.”
PNM LAVENTILLE WEST MP NILEUNG HYPOLITE: “I spent the last few weeks transitioning into Act Two—normal civilian life, so there wasn’t much emotion to feel on hearing of the dissolution of Parliament. In fact I didn’t attend Parliament that day. I’m a PNM member and I remain thus. My term of service to the people of Laventille West, however, came to an end even before parliament’s dissolution by mere fact that a decision was taken for us (PNM MPs) to boycott the Parliament. From Day One I never supported that idea of walking out of the Parliament as I’ve said.
“Therefore, as for my future and assisting the PNM’s campaign, well that’s a personal thing for a candidate and I’m not pushy. I haven’t been asked to assist to date, but if requested, I’m available. If not, I won’t walk into someone’s campaign just like that, I’ll just take the next few weeks to transition back to private life. I’ve served the PNM in the Senate since 2005 and as MP since 2007. I have experience and expertise and commitment to the party and a lot to offer. I won’t offer this unless I’m asked to but I’m available.”
PNM AROUCA SOUTH MP ALICIA HOSPEDALES: “Even though I’m not going back up, it wasn’t sad for me because I’m looking forward to the future and the PNM winning elections. I remain politically active and involved with the campaign in whatever way necessary,”