Our Side

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas style of leadership earlier this year provoked a political crisis.  Almost all of his Ministers labeled him autocratic.  They accused the Prime Minister of “consulting” outside of Government bypassing Cabinet on issues.  When challenged by colleagues the Prime Minister they contend take refuge in the fact that he is primus – first among equals. 

Led by Peter David a political standoff took place.  A country and matters of State held in abeyance while political theatre played on.  At a press conference NDC insider Jerome Joseph, a supporter of Peter David spoke of “Our Side”. 

At the time of the crisis Our Side were portrayed as restless and disillusioned with the Governments performance which they blame squarely on Prime Minister Thomas autocratic lackluster leadership.

 

Voir Dire

Peter David has a record of leadership turbulence.  He is reported to be nakedly ambitious and is accused of running a government within a Government.  David is a lawyer by training – lawyers usually deploy a Voir Dire in difficult cases to diminish the spotlight on their clients.  Peter David appears to be driven by the conviction that he is the chosen one – the reincarnation of the PRG.  He is not a Trojan horse.  David openly snubbed the Prime Minister.  There is no doubt Peter David commands all except one of the elected members of Government.  The Prime Minister speaks of two but people with a political understanding of the players say one of the Prime Ministers trusted allies is a “sleeper” wedded to David’s political ideals.

Peter David is no longer the “guy” at Foreign Affairs but all know he is the “go to guy” – David still finesse foreign affairs.  No one would admit it publicly but Peter David is the Defacto Prime Minister of Grenada.  David may find former Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada story instructive.   A successful Minister of Finance he had the support of party and Government colleagues to depose Prime Minister Jean Crétien who some felt had become a liability – politicians are predisposed to pyrrhic victories.  Paul Martin ended Crétien political career but he could not have imagined the near destruction his decision would cause the Liberal Party.

Independent Observers

It is clear to independent observers that the Prime Minister is adrift appearing not to understand issues or his role as leader and Prime Minister.  Why would an intelligent man, a human rights, free speech, freedom of the press campaigner – transparency and accountability activist on its face abandon his conviction?  The Prime Minister sees the world in black and white according to a long time political associate.  Tillman he argues politically is a freshman, who will never graduate.  Not  because of his inability to understand political issues and their importance but because he is a captive, a throwback to the Cold War years – the Prime Minister lives in a parallel world where everyday reality is replaced by a kind of airy-fairy Christian notion that someone up there will put things right.

 

 

Mr Accountability

Dr Keith Mitchell leader of the opposition labeled the Prime Minister “Mr Accountability” cynically taunting Thomas to pursue those who allegedly “did wrong” while in Government.  Despite credible evidence against Mitchell, Gregory Bowen a former Minister, a number of Civil servants including those involved in the purchasing of the two white elephants – the desalination plants in Woburn and Carriacou – a most senior policy maker and others were told the plants were not suitable for Grenada’s needs.  Expert advice ignored allegedly to facilitate huge “kick backs.”  Prime Minister Thomas has so far failed to allow prosecution – Why?

The Prime Minister boasts of his accountability credentials.  Why does he demonstrate reluctance to enable people who allegedly stole from the State to be brought before the court?  The sale of the State Broadcaster now called GBN sold for three million dollars, where is the money?  The Prime Minister came to office on a tsunami of expectation.  He promise change – those responsible for graft and sleaze will be held to account, three years on, why has he done nothing?

 

Damage

Deceased Prime Minister Herbert Blaize said to Government insiders he believes Tillman – that man was “damaged” by the prison.  Blaize added I will not give him an elevated level of responsibility in my Government.

Jailed by the PRG

Tillman Thomas political opponents are busy spreading the word he is not a leader, he can’t speak, he is a retard (challenged), it’s a “whisper” campaign to devalue Prime Minister Thomas.  It must be recognized all is fair in love, war and politics, it s not a game for wimps.  It is public knowledge that Tillman Thomas was jailed by the PRG.  It’s not known if the Americans insisted that all detainees be debriefed and receives psychiatric therapy.  It is known that the Americans gave cash compensation.  It is public knowledge that Tillman sought help to readjust to life after prison.  Some people had psychiatric therapy, did he? 

Why

Why Ministers say the Prime Minister is adverse to decision making? Why a man who advertises himself as a hard core democrat is by action and practice autocratic. 

How do we ventilate this issue in public?  The Prime Ministers Health, his state of mind is a Public Matter.  It is okay for politicians to score points at the Prime Ministers expense claiming his elevator does not go all the way to the top.  However, it is up to the NDC and the public to help Tillman Thomas to recognize his health needs and be advised by professional who specialize in the care of the mind. 

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

It should not be overlooked that the Prime Minister has family and friends who would be hurt if his health became a political football.  Ridicule is not the answer, understanding and great sensitivity should be the order.  There are constitutional questions and political issues to be addressed. 

The United Negro College Fund has long said “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”  A Beautiful Mind is a film based on the life of John Nash a noble laureate in economics.  He suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.  You may remember Rwanda the genocide.  General Reméo Dellaire story is instructive.  He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.  People who serve their nation should be valued not ridiculed as some are attempting to do to the Prime Minister.  General Dellaire received excellent care giving.  A grateful nation spurred his recovery from the dark edge of the spear.

Frankenstein

The Prime Minister must accept he is the leader of the Government; Peter David is “his Frankenstein.”  Perhaps the Prime Ministers bedtime reading should include Reila Odinga his choices after disputed elections costing hundreds of life – in Kenya.  Thabo Mbeki losing control of the ANC to Jacob Zuma in South Africa.  The Prime Minister must accept politicians are in office not for self but for Country.  The present British Prime Minister David Cameron dismissed Nick Clegg the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party as a joke.  Nick Clegg is the second man in a Coalition Government led by David Cameron.  Politics is a blood sport there are no enemies and no friends.  It’s a game of numbers.  The numbers dictate the necessary compromises that would be needed.  You Sir must lead from infront if he is “lean” and has a hungry look you will have to feed that hunger or the political dagger awaits you.  We are told Tillman Thomas is a good Christian.  Well let the Potters Fields and its origin top the list of your bedtime reading. 

Speak on the Issue

Herbert Blaize refused to accept reality when he felt Dr Mitchell’s dagger after losing the leadership of the NNP.  He instantly formed TNP – stillborn – green lime falling and a kick from a dying donkey and all that chat – the reality is Claudius is born.  Lean and hungry men of politics cannot be wished away.

Peter David attracts funds for both Party and Government.  David may not be anti-American as the allies of the Prime Minister asserts but Peter David is certainly the point man for a foreign policy shift (ALBA) promoting Venezuela and the Americas ahead of the USA and CARICOM.  That political paradigm shift is inconceivable to Tillman Thomas who sees the Americans as his personal liberators and “Our Friends.”

Can the Nation Ignore Thomas

Can you? Can the nation afford to ignore Prime Minister Thomas unusual attitude by choosing to label him appa wah.  He is clearly not stupid, it is clear however Prime Minister Thomas is an underachiever.  Why do people perceive Thomas to be dwarf by the office of Prime Minister which belies his intellectual ability?

Will Our Side choose rehab/therapy or destruction of the man, Government and party?  Will Prime Minister Thomas accept he needs professional help?  Given our recent past history at resolving leadership issues by bloodletting, will the Great and the Good, the churches, the so-called civil society, the media who in a free society would lead public debate on this matter and all those without the usual Grenada vengeful acts to grind speak on this issue.