Political Funding

Sep 12, 2007

The MND is overjoyed to hear the Prime Minister raising the issue of political funding. However, the MND says that he should lead rather than follow on this issue!!

The MND is intrigued, though not surprised, that it would be the PNM that would bring this issue to the fore now that it is under pressure from political opponents and of course now that the PNM is using the public purse to campaign when not using $100,000.00 a plate dinners. Intrigued because the PNM has had the most questionable financing arrangements. Not surprised, because the modus operandi of the PNM is to blame others for the sins they, the PNM, have committed.

The MND has been stating for some time now that "over the last 45 years Trinidad and Tobago has been governed for the benefit of foreign interests and a small minority in the local society who because of their education and wealth feel that they are the only ones entitled to share in the resources we were so richly blessed with".

The MND has identified that one of the main reasons for this inequitable distribution of the local resources has been as a result of payback to financiers. It has been the financiers who have creamed off the revenues to the detriment of the unsuspecting public. There have been numerous examples of this, none so stark as the Andre Monteil affair. But other well known financiers have gotten the key construction contracts as well as tax breaks and opportunities that have not been available to others. 

The MND has also stated, and reaffirms its position, that drug money has also played a significant role in political funding and the PNM has been linked to major drug dealers on more than one occasion. In fact, not only has information been presented to the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago that have linked the Prime Minister directly with notorious drug dealers, but at least one person named in the infamous Scott Drug Report, has actually served as a Cabinet Minister in the Patrick Manning government.

Whilst this may be a coincidence, it has also been the case that crime flourished under all regimes presided over by Patrick Manning. Drugs continue to flow through Trinidad and Tobago with no sign of abating, even though the Prime Minister has on many occasions outlined to the nation that his government has all the tools to detect the movement of drugs. The MND has learnt that the radar system purchased for many millions does have the capability to monitor as far as 140 miles from every direction of the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, so that the Chairman of the National Security Council is fully aware of what comes and goes, yet drug busts have been few and far between, whilst the drug economy is estimated to be in excess of $40 billion annually. 

The MND calls on the Prime Minister to put his money where his mouth is and make financing available to all political parties so that they can get their message out effectively and enhance the democratic process.

Until that is done, big business will continue to control political parties in Trinidad and Tobago, including the PNM.

 "The MND because Trinidad and Tobago deserves better" 

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