Dear Editor,
With reference to Mr Rickford Burke’s letter ‘CGID condemns the removal of James McAllister,’ SN December 8, I am really startled that Mr Burke, a one-time personal assistant to Mr Desmond Hoyte, has not listened to the other side and worse yet, has not reflected his intimate knowledge of the internal politics of the Peoples National Congress (PNC). It must be very obvious to many that this letter once again lacks objectivity and balance.
The PNC set up a disciplinary committee before which Mr James Mc Allister was summoned. He elected not to attend. His irresponsible action must be strongly condemed, because he is an elected representative of the people.
He always has a moral duty to defend his actions to satisfy all who might have voted for him as against a party list headed by Mr RHO Corbin, whom all candidates strongly supported. He was found guilty as charged. He even had an opportunity to appeal.
Wasn’t this demonstrated arrogance? To date, I have not heard that the leader of the party was chairman of the committe or a member.
My understanding is that the committee’s findings were conveyed, and those findings and perhaps the recommendations influenced the thoughts of the leaders. Mr Corbin must then have informed the Speaker of the House that the party, not the leader per se, was invoking the constitutional provision, Article 156(3) (c), revoking Mr McAllister’s appointment.
I now turn attention to the blame now being placed at Mr Corbin’s feet and no other party functionary, by Vincent Alexander in particular, and by McAllister, for the loss of votes and seats to Raphael Trotman and the Alliance for Change in the last general elections.
It is said that if something is repeated often enough, it will come to be accepted as truth, no matter if on closer examination it can be shown to be patently incorrect. So it is with the perception surrounding Mr Raphael Trotman’s teaming up with Mr Khemraj Ramjattan.
Did Mr Trotman leave the PNC because of Mr Corbin? Mr Trotman might have had differences with Mr Corbin. This was never made public. What is certain is that he left the PNC.
I have no doubt that Raphael Trotman would not have been a member of ‘Team Alexander.’ Neither Messrs Winston Murray nor Basil Williams. Alexander and McAllister now take a holier than thou posture.
I understand that McAllister resides and works in the United States of America while receiving a parliamentary salary for not representing the people in parliamentary sessions. If Mr Corbin hadn’t had him withdrawn from Parliament, the government MPs and other non-PNCR MPs would have accused Mr Corbin of impropriety. Isn’t this one of the mischiefs and abuses Article 156(3) (c) seeks to supress? Mr McAllister for no other reason is properly withdrawn.
Finally, Mr McAllister calls for Mr Winston Murray to become a transitional leader. On the other hand Mr Burke speaks of Hoyte grooming Trotman to be leader. A few questions must be raised for the public. (1) Why did Hoyte and the party executive opt for Corbin and not Alexander? Hoyte removed Alexander from Region 3. (2) Were Alexander and/or McAllister ever supportive of Murray or Trotman as leader? If not, Why not?
Messrs Rickford Burke,Vincent Alexander and James McAllister have all exposed themselves as poor, visionless political engineers.
Yours faithfully
Melanie Morrison
