Kamla Bissessar: A Caribbean leader of enviable integrity

Mar 30, 2014 News

“There must be no compromise on integrity, no allowance for arrogance…no sacrifice of values on the altar of political expediency”

Last Wednesday Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar fired Minister of the People and Social Development, Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh following his unruly and disrespectful behaviour towards a Caribbean Airlines flight attendant.
Below are excerpts of her profound statement on the issue.

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad- Bissessar

“There must be no compromise on integrity, no allowance for arrogance, no room for violation of mutual respect; there will be no sacrifice of our values on the altar of political expediency.
“Regardless of whether the decisions I take hurt me politically or not, I have the strength and courage and independence of mind to measure every tough decision on the basis of what is right and just…Regardless of the consequences, I remain resolved to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. My decisions in the past demonstrate this consistency regardless of whether you are in my Cabinet or not. No one is exempt from the measure of value based leadership.
“In the circumstances, I have advised the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Justice Anthony Carmona, to revoke the appointment of the Honourable Minister of the People, Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh.
“All my considerations are character driven. I hold no brief for any man or woman save the greater public interest. I am always aware of the higher expectation upon which this Government was elected and the immense responsibility each of us has to uphold public trust in all we do every single day of our lives. It is not a responsibility we can choose to have one day and lose the next.
“I am reminded of Gandhi’s identification of one of seven social sins as being “politics without principle”. I have insisted from the moment we took office that every one of us must display a sound character of public integrity, fairness, humility, compassion and human dignity.
“Further, no man nor woman has been allowed nor will be permitted to deviate from the very principles upon which my Government was elected by the people into office…I know there will be arguments put forward by some as to what was condoned in the past administration to allow for continuity but I disagree,” stated Persad-Bissessar.
Ramadharsingh is the 11th minister fired under Kamla’s Administration. A 12th Minister, Jack Warner, left of his own volition amidst allegations of financial impropriety, following the Concacaf Ethics Committee report.
The People’s Partnership Government has not yet completed four years in office.
Out of the 11 people fired, four were axed in response to specific allegations.