By: Capil Bissoon
March 28, 2023
Both Kangaloo and Annisette-George have literally destroyed our Parliamentary democracy under the guise of political neutrality, behaving as though Parliament is an extension of Balisier House. It was never a case of their gender when the Opposition and other commentators had to be calling them out for their open abuse of their positions and the Constitution, all in the name of “protecting” the PNM.
In one of her first public appearances since becoming President, Christine Kangaloo is quoted in the media as saying that she (as the former President of the Senate) and House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George were subjects of a “vile and offensive gender-based” attacks on social media which she says, was an example of the kind of misogyny that women who are involved in the parliamentary process face worldwide.
Kangaloo did not elaborate on her statement nor did she cite any examples of what she was alluding to.
Both Kangaloo and Annisette-George have literally destroyed our Parliamentary democracy under the guise of political neutrality, behaving as though Parliament is an extension of Balisier House. It was never a case of their gender when the Opposition and other commentators had to be calling them out for their open abuse of their positions and the Constitution, all in the name of “protecting” the PNM.
Rather, it had to do with both of them wearing their very partisan “PNM hat” and spirited violation of the non-partisan chairmanship of the Senate and House of Representatives when they continually turned a blind eye to PNM MPs shortcomings and abuse of the standing orders in the respective Chambers.
Is Kangaloo saying that the many instances when she, as Senate President and Annisette-George as House Speaker kept inserting themselves unnecessarily, obtrusively and systematically into a debate and when their unwarranted intervention denied the population the opportunity to get a fair idea of Opposition’s position on the issues and bills before brought to Parliament were “vile and offensive gender-based attacks?”
Is Kangaloo attempting to defend the many long-winded, poorly disguised and continuous misuse and abuse of the Standing Orders against Opposition Members?
The criticisms Kangaloo and Annisette-George received had nothing to do with any type of gender-based attacks but rather their lack of neutrality and impartiality in their Chairmanship.
Now as an apolitical office holder, Kangaloo should be speaking out about the “vile and offensive gender-based” attacks of her former Political Leader Keith Rowley who has a penchant of continuously making derogatory statements against women and is apparently proud of this fact since he appears intent on wearing this disgusting trait as his personal badge of honour.
Annisette-George and Kangaloo have diminished the civility, dignity and neutrality of the Parliament which is now a total sham and national embarrassment. Their signature on the past 7½ years of their leadership in Parliament have been their open biases and vindictiveness against the Opposition as they trampled on their rights and providing effective representation for their constituents. They ignored that these MPs were elected by over 310,000 citizens to represent their interests in Parliament.
It has absolutely nothing to do with any type of gender-based attacks!
The very same social, print and electronic media that Kangaloo allude to have been speaking about Rowley’s blatant sexism and misogyny in his continued assault on the former Prime Minister now Opposition Leader in particular and the women of the country in general.
Perhaps Kangaloo might want to reflect upon her stewardship as the immediate past President of the Senate and ask herself whether she was able to separate her role as a member of the PNM and whether or not she would now be an all-encompassing President or a PNM President first and foremost.