Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles has sharply criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s response to the Emancipation Day controversy, likening the Prime Minister’s remarks to David Rudder’s iconic calypso, Rant of a Madman.
In a strongly worded statement, Beckles said Persad-Bissessar’s latest comments reflected what she described as the behaviour of “a desperate, failed Prime Minister” who has “descended into repeatedly denigrating herself” in the face of mounting public criticism.
Beckles accused the Prime Minister of using what she called “shameful hate speech” instead of addressing the concerns raised over her absence from the Emancipation Day celebrations. She also questioned the Government’s position on reparations and challenged Persad-Bissessar to account for commitments she said were made at the Emancipation Village one year ago.
The Opposition Leader further accused the Prime Minister of avoiding media scrutiny while, in her words, “wreaking havoc daily.” She insisted that the People’s National Movement (PNM) would not be drawn “into the political gutter” despite what she described as repeated attempts to provoke the Opposition.
Concluding her statement, Beckles wished the Prime Minister “a safe recovery from her latest tantrum,” escalating the war of words between the country’s two major political leaders.
The exchange follows continuing fallout from the Prime Minister’s explanation for missing this year’s Emancipation Day celebrations, an issue that has fuelled political debate and public discussion over the past several days.
