Patrick Manning, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, has set 2011 as the target for economic integration in his proposed Caribbean federation. Why would he chose a date a mere three years from now, which seems ridiculous if not irresponsible?
The answer is, because he thinks like an ambitious politician.
As pointed out, none of the signatories to the federation MOU actually have a mandate of any kind to pursue political union in any form.
So why 2011? Well, Patrick Manning is not up for reelection until 2012. In other words, the public will not be given a voice in the matter until it is firmly committed and irreversible. Likewise, he has rejected calls for referenda on the political union:
He said the people will be able to express their support for or against the initiative in the next general election due in 2012, which is one year before the 2013 start-up deadline for the proposed political union.
The Prime Minister explained that the proposed union is not going to be a movement of leaders but has to be a movement of the people.
He added, “The word referendum has a technical and legal connotation. I chose not to use it. If we consult the people in a general election and this is made an election matter, then if we win the elections, we have the endorsement of the public. That’s how it works.” Manning said.
Doubletalk at its best: he wants a “movement of the people” but will not allow the people a forum focused on the issue. Does that make him a leader who is “stubborn enough”? Lessons for those Bermudian students of political strategy.