Has PM Rowley built a Trojan horse?

Metaphorically a “Trojan horse” is a trick or stratagem used to deceive an enemy. In its modern form, a Trojan horse is malware which is disguised as a legitimate software programme to avoid detection.

The term originates from the ruse used by the Greeks to capture Troy after a fruitless siege of ten years. The Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse, in which they concealed a select force, while their major army pretended to sail away. The Trojans pulled the horse into the city as a victory trophy. At night whilst the Trojans slept, the Greek soldiers exited the horse and opened the city gates to the Greek army, which had returned in the night. The city was captured and destroyed. Hence the term “beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

The metaphor may be appropriate to describe the current leadership imbroglio that simmers beneath the People’s National Movement. Apropos of nothing, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, in winding up the recent Budget debate, seemed to suggest that his time in Parliament could soon come to an end. He had implied as much during the 2015 election campaign and again in 2020, indicating his willingness to pursue sheep farming and other family interests. That did not happen on either occasion. What is different now?

Dr Rowley has been leader of the party since May 26th, 2010 and Prime Minister since 2015. Much has changed since then.

Foster Cummings, then a general council representative, led the charge that resulted in Patrick Manning literally being chased out of Balisier House. Now, he occupies a more powerful position as party general secretary, a sitting member in the House of Representatives and a minister in an influential ministry that promotes many youth programmes.

Whilst there has been no polling data for public scrutiny, the talk on the ground shows there is no significant difference in policy orientation between the two major parties. Security issues and the rule of law are the two pillars that uphold any society. Yet, this administration seems unable to orchestrate a coherent set of policies to address the country’s crime rate and has sought to limit its responsibility to funding the various arms of government.

Crime is a lightning rod for public disaffection, which translates into unpopularity targeted at the political leader. An unpopular leader reduces the party’s election prospects. To reverse this trend, two things are required. The first is to comprehensively address the crime problem and the second is to identify successes. That requires more time than the 10-12 months left before the next general election. One alternative is to deploy a mechanism that will identify potential rivals, facilitate counter-measures and distract the public.

Dr Rowley’s decision to “cancel” the convention and internal elections without the approval of the General Council was a political miscalculation. Article 17 (1) of the PNM constitution allows only the General Council to summon or vary the date of the party convention. Objections were voiced, suggesting a deep division and dissension within the party. Challenging the authority of the General Council made matters worse because it created the opportunity for more conspiracy theories.

Stuart Young’s statement after last weekend’s PNM General Council meeting was deliberately vacuous and misleading in attempting to cover the cracks. Unlike the original, however, this Trojan horse will not bear fruit overnight.

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