By PETER GREEN
The battle lines have been drawn!
The Prime Minister versus the Independent Senators.
Who will win, that is the million dollar question.
How did the battle start?
It all started on the morning of September 24 in the Senate. It was very early in the morning when the Special Operations Bill 2026 was put to the vote.
Parliament on Wednesday
The 15 Government Senators voted yes, but the six Opposition and nine Independent Senators said No. It came down to the President of the Senate, Wade Mark, who with his casting vote, came down on the side of the Government. The final vote was 16-15 and the Bill was passed. It was also passed in the House of Representatives on September 19.
Following the passage of the Bill, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC sharply criticized the nine Independent Senators, calling them “satanic” and “demonic”.
She also announced that her administration would no longer accept amendments proposed by the Independent Bench on future legislation.
Well, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill, came up for debate on Monday in the Senate. All eyes were on the Independent Senators and how they would react. Well it did not take long for Independent Senator Anthony Vieira to open the batting.
He said it would take “a lot more than holy water and mantras” to get him to support the Government’s Procurement Bill.
Vieira revealed he deliberately decided against preparing amendments to the bill because of Persad-Bissessar’s declaration that her Government would no longer entertain amendments from the independent bench.
Vieira said the bill in its present form would not get his vote. He added, “Mr President, it is going to take a lot more than holy water and mantras to get me to vote in support of this bill.”
During his contribution, Vieira warned about the need for strong safeguards to protect public money from corruption and abuse, Vieira sarcastically embraced the labels directed at the bench.
He added, “Now, Mr President, a benefit of being satanic and demonic is that I have insight into the souls of men. I understand those whose moral compasses and codes are compromised, as I understand the seven deadly sins, in particular, greed.”
Well, the vote was taken just before 9 pm on Monday. It ended 15-15 and Wade Mark cast his vote to ensure that the Bill was passed, much to the annoyance of Opposition Senators.
Then on Monday, the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago called upon the Prime Minister to withdraw her disparaging remarks against the country’s Independent senators.
And, pending the adoption of that course of action, the Association has also called upon Wade Mark to take the necessary action to ensure the reputation of the Senate is preserved.
In a statement, the Association said, “LATT reminds the Prime Minister that our democracy depends on her Government hearing and considering the views of those who do not sit at her table in Government.”
Well, we wait to see if and when the Prime Minister responds. Stay tuned.
