Guardian ( Trinidad and Tobago )
27 July 2023 ( Page 7 )
Regional analysts surprised by Jack’s return
By Soyini Grey
Will the UNC be punished for associating with
Jack Warner? Regional political analysts
expressed bemusement at his return to politics
and wondered if the presumed confidence in his
leverage is misguided.
Peter Wickam is the director of Caribbean
Development Research Services (Cadres), which
is a political research organisation that is based
in Barbados.
Speaking yesterday by telephone, he was
sceptical of Warner and the value he could add to
the United National Congress’ local government
campaign.
“I’m struggling with this one. It was a surprise to
me that he returned,”
Wickham said. “I think, frankly, I’m not sure of
the significant benefit.”
Warner, who was indicted by the United States
Department of Justice for various fraud charges
has his main case on hold while he pursues a civil
case contesting the extradition request.
Wickham wondered if the UNC had not taken on
liability by associating politically with Warner.
He said he was not confident that Warner still
had too much to offer politically.
“Jack Warner is reflective of an era in history,
political history in Trinidad and Tobago that has
long since past and I don’t know what exactly he
brings to the table at this stage,” Wickham said.
Dr Christopher Charles also has reservations. He
is a political and social psychologist who lectures
within the Department of Government at The
University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
He said yesterday, in a telephone interview, the
issue was “bigger than Mr Warner and brings into
question the integrity of the political process,
and the political systems and the conventions
that we use in the Caribbean to address these
matters”.
He added, “What this says is that the political
system is not sufficiently mature where it can
break with people who are under investigation,
who have a case before the courts or people are
under the radar of the police services. So, it just
means that there’s a close nest between political
actors and people who are duplicitous in these
societies.”
As for the UNC’s chances in the upcoming Local
Government Elections on August 14, Wickham
said the major question that remained
unanswered is the viability of Kamla PersadBissessar’s leadership of the party.
He cautioned, however, that regardless of the
outcome, Local Government Elections did not
offer a good enough assessment of her
stewardship.
PICTURE
LINKEDIN-
Peter Wickam, Director of Caribbean
Development Research Services /
PICTURE COURTESY
JAMAICA GLEANER - Dr Christopher Charles