KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer – Politics in the twin state of Trinidad and Tobago has always been a carnival of strong personalities such as Messrs Uriah Butler, C L R James, George Padmore, Stokeley Camichael, Basdeo Panday and Dr Eric Williams. The democratic process has experienced some unusual events, including two attempted coups. The first in 1970 after black power demonstrations, and as recently as 1990 when members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, led by Abu Bakr, captured Parliament and held the Government captive for six days before being granted amnesty.
The election of Jack Warner, an African-Trinidadian, in the predominantly Indian constituency of Chaguanas West, is not only unprecedented in that constituency but is an enigmatic event in a country where political parties and their supporters have been largely based on race. Lest we be labelled as racist for saying this, we invite all readers to consult the numerous books by the distinguished Trinidadian Professor Selwyn Ryan.
The decisive two to one victory is also a tribute to what Warner has accomplished in the constituency, although Prakash Ramdhar of the Congress of the People described Jack Warner's by-election victory as “a most dangerous development in the politics of our country”. “We have witnessed the emergence of a new vulgar concept of the politics of money, based on the personal wealth of an individual.” This may just be political vitriol, but there is no disputing that the electorate elected a man whose integrity has been seriously questioned.
