Arguing from a moral ground
Published:Wednesday | July 11, 2018 | 1:40 PM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The Gleaner, on Tuesday, published a story 'PNP: Cooperation could cease - Opposition demands firing of Wheatley or else ...' I honestly did not know what to make of the story. The opposition leader gave the prime minister an ultimatum to fire a minister of Government or risk non-cooperation in and outside Parliament.
The Opposition party seems to be labouring under two main misconceptions. First is that the prime minister would fire a minister without having or consulting all the evidence and following the due diligence needed. This is irrational and not a quality I want from a prime minister. The prime minister made the correct decision to remove the energy portfolio and allow the investigations to go on. This removes all chances of evidence tampering.
The second misconception the Opposition seems to be holding is thinking they have the moral authority to ask that any minister be fired. The People's National Party, has, in the last 22 years of governance, at last count, presided over 32 scandals. Dr Phillips has been a member in good standing (of the party) for decades. So to lecture the prime minister on accountability is hypocritical, to say the least.
My question, therefore, is: when has Dr Peter Phillips and, by extension, the PNP ever been held accountable?
Javon Moatt