T’HE People’s Partnership (PP) and the United National Congress seem to have taken a decision for the 2015 election campaign to make the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, the focus of the election campaign. For reasons best known to their strategists, it is Persad-Bissessar that has a plan, not the political party she represents.

It is vote for Kamla, not the organisation, and the campaign is entitled Kamla 2015 with its own logo (a red white black “K” followed by red AMLA). One can imagine that, on the face of it, a beautiful-looking woman can be seen as more attractive than that of a man. Consequently, if one can successfully focus the attention on the prima facie value of person, rather than their competencies and character, it may be possible to bypass the unattractive underlying realities. It is therefore incumbent on the electorate to examine the person ‘Kamla’ to determine whether she, and by extension the PP, deserves a second chance.

In looking at Persad-Bissessar one ought to examine her ability to make sound judgement within the borders of the constitution and with the best interest of the citizens. There are many allegations that, if true, must be of tremendous concern to the non-aligned voter. Did Kamla appoint members to her Cabinet whose level of competence caused embarrassment to the nation? Did Kamla decide not to stay at the official residence of the prime minister and instead utilised her private dwelling causing the State to maintain two residences with similar levels of security and relevant services? Was Kamla as prime minister in agreement with the decision to impose on our nation a state of emergency that cost businesses millions? Did she approve the proclamation of Section 34 without the prerequisite structures in place and referred concerns about alleged improprieties back to the persons who were the subject of such concerns? Was it Kamla that, at some stage of her governance, sought to protect individuals within her Cabinet by ignoring public concerns rather than insisting that all allegations be swiftly investigated? What did Kamla do over the last five years to increase the income of Trinidad & Tobago? When did Kamla get her “plan” for agriculture, tourism and the economy? What are the details of those plans? These are the questions that we must have answered if one were to agree that Kamla is the best fit for Trinidad & Tobago at this time.

There are those who would ask why not pose similar questions to Dr Keith Rowley. The People’s National Movement’s (PNM) election campaign, however, is not about him. He represents the PNM and their party’s position and candidates, and their plans seem to be the subject of their campaign. The people of Trinidad & Tobago were very concerned when, in the previous Administration, the PNM’s leader seemed to be making the achievements of the government and party about him. That maximum-type of leadership was rejected by the electorate. One wonders what could have been the inspiration that led a party that gained office by inclusion, partnership, and a policy of “we will rise”, to reject the inclusiveness of the partners, candidates and affiliates for that of one person.

In “all fours” one knows that it is better to stand with plenty trump and some moderately high cards than bare ace. In this case it could be that the PP’s partnership decided to stand with bare Queen.

Steve Alvarez is the leader of the Democratic Party of Trinidad & Tobago.