Keith Rowley

There is a lot of misinformation in the discussions about the Charlotte Street riot involving street vendors on Monday 13th Dec 2010.  In this article, I attempt to debunk some of them.

1) Street vending is illegal

They say a week is a long time in politics.  A week ago, I thought the main news item that would've occupied the front-burner would've been the Guardian's reporting of a top government official being fingered in an alleged conspiracy to wilfully pervert the course of public justice in relation to charges against two former People’s National Movement ministers.  Or the criticisms of Hon.

Until now, I've deliberately stepped clear of the hullabaloo over our Hon. Prime Minister's (PM's) statements regarding T&T's help to neighbours affected by the passing of Tropical Storm-cum-Hurricane Tomas.  Why?  Apart from being busy otherwise, the developing issue had all the symptoms of miscommunication: news reports containing edited statements from the Hon.

According to reports, PNM and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley criticised the government's handling of the threat posed by Tropical Storm Tomas, describing it as an over-reaction.  Dr Rowley delivered the criticism during his feature address at the PNM's Women in Politics seminar at Balisier House on Sat 30 Oct 2010.  The stories may be found in the Trinidad Express,

While perusing an online forum where Trinbagonians discuss national issues, I engaged a long-time contributor who has been crying out for stronger campaign finance regulations as a key solution to our disturbing legacy of political corruption.  I had been a supporter of his call, but sometimes wondered if such regulation would be a central solution, or whether other types of reform may be more critical at this time.  After relentlessly pressing him for online articles that shaped his views, and analysing same, I have concluded that, while important, there may be two other more urgen

When I caught the headline, Rowley Slams Kamla for 'ATM' remark, I couldn't help but note that this was largely a style issue. And Dr. Rowley does have a point - the remark to CARICOM could be seen as flippant.

Like many of you, I'm quite distracted lately by the FIFA World Cup 2010 tournament in South Africa, so I haven't been as prolific in my writing as before. Here are some brief thoughts on issues that crossed the online forums I've browsed over the past two weeks.

Local Government Elections

What a week!  Before 24 May 2010, T&T was experiencing a drought in water and cricketing terms, and was racked in this weakened state by election fever.  After 25 May 2010, we got both rain and cricket, following a general election result that no professional pundit predicted.  So despite the WI senior men's cricket team snatched another defeat from the jaws of victory, the world seems to be unfolding as it should.

Every so often, politicians like to paint their actions in the good light of 'Westminster traditions.'  However, there are some Westminster shadows that I haven't heard anyone mention.  I wish to highlight one which T&T may face soon, depending on the upcoming General Election results.