Dear Editor,

Vanessa Kissoon is a special kind of politician who doesn’t come often, and because of her rarity and commitment to politics as a force to bring about positive change and improve the lives of those she represents, she deserves to be on the 2015 List of Representatives and return as a member of parliament. Unfortunately, there is a move afoot to deny Ms Kissoon the opportunity to be on the List with the aim of denying her return to parliament.

One would recall that Ms Kissoon’s suffering began in a targeted way in February 2014 after she demanded that Amna Ally speak to her with respect. The process began with Ms Kissoon being moved to the back bench in parliament without any regard for civility in public engagement or prior notification. When Mr Granger was questioned about this decision he said that it was nothing more than an administrative move.

The situation continues to deteriorate. As recently as a few days ago the party sought to distance itself from her, following false media reports about her being arrested and released. She was subsequently charged for “insulting” remarks made to Joe Hamilton, and only the lawyers from the AFC came to her aid to protect her right to representation in a court of law.

As the party engages in the campaign season, Ms Kissoon is not on the list of speakers for any political rally, despite the fact that the party acknowledges that the speakers are members of parliament and from the Central Executive Committee. Even if one were to ignore that the national line-up has excluded Ms Kissoon, how does one reconcile Ms Amna Ally sending to Linden/Region 10 a list of speakers and Kissoon, the geographic MP, is not on this list?

In a humanising campaign roll-out of Mr Granger, Supriya Singh-Bodden has put her reputation on the line vouching for his honourableness. But how does this mesh with what is presently happening to Kissoon apparently with Granger’s knowledge and support? One of the points put forward by Mr Granger not to have Ms Kissoon on the List is that she is suspended from the party (this has to do with an alleged altercation between herself and Mr Oscar Clarke).

It must be recalled that the PNC General Council of January 2015 unanimously passed a motion to address the concerns of Linden, among which was the Kissoon-Clarke issue, and Robert Corbin was tasked with the responsibility of spearheading this exercise. This would cause one to ask what Corbin’s report has been; whether there was there any move to facilitate the engagement between Kissoon and Clarke; and why Kissoon was being punished for this?

The other excuse the party is coming up with is that persons should not serve more than two terms, even as the leadership ignores the fact that according to this argument Amna Ally, Basil Williams, George Norton and Volda Lawrence should not be on the List of Representatives.

Most importantly, one would have thought, when there is a growing public outcry for performance-driven politics, performance would be a major consideration. Were the party to tread the performance path, it would pose a threat to some of those in the upper echelons, while Vanessa Kissoon would stand a better chance than most. The absence of rewarding performances has been a major talking point for those who argue against the List system, since improperly used it creates avenues for abuse, retaining non-performers and rewarding friends and family at the expense of the people.

With the exception of Carl Greenidge there are few, if any, other PNC members of parliament who can test Kissoon’s record. This Class One Grade One teacher is a graduate of the Cyril Potter College of Education. Here is an insight into the revolutionary, consummate politician that forces are engaged to sideline:-

Member of Parliament (Region 10 Representative)

• Fought for and achieved road improvement in Amelia’s Ward and streets lights that now line the Amelia’s Ward/Linden Highway;
• Took the fight to parliament for security guards to get uniforms and overtime money. Guards employed by the company which has the contract for providing security for government buildings are now receiving the correct pay of $202.00 an hour instead of the $120 they were being paid.
• She also took the fight to the responsible minister, Clement Rohee for retroactive pay for overtime and holiday for GCB security guards and delivered.
• In 2013 she encouraged nurses and ancillary workers from the Linden Hospital Complex to bring their struggle for gratuity payment to the parliament. She marched with them, encouraging her fellow MPs to join the protest and as the nurses were outside protesting, she fought inside the House and got Minister of Health Bheri Ramsaran to address the matter, which resulted in the workers receiving their moneys.
• She represented the need for funding a Legal Aid service in Linden and succeeded in getting responsible Minister Jennifer Webster to allocate money to provide a low cost legal service in the depressed community;
• She raised questions in parliament and held subject ministers accountable with regard to project execution, quality assurance, feasibility and prudent management of the taxpayers’ money.
• In February she led her fellow teachers in a protest for improved working conditions (lights, washroom and classroom facilities) and achieved same.
• She brought a motion to Parliament re the 2012 agreement between the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council and central government, achieved having it debated and passed in the nation’s highest decision-making forum.

She has also taken an active role in PNC party politics in Linden/Region 10. For example: she led a team that played the major role in mobilising for the March 14 APNU+AFC Unity Rally in Linden, taking care of physical arrangements and protocol although no funding was given to the region by central. She is also involved in youth development and leadership, as well as a number of community activities.

Vanessa Kissoon has a story that is worthy of being told so it can inspire others to stay the course. Her performance-driven record and no-nonsense style have become the envy of rivals and a source of motivation and admiration for others. Undoubtedly, Ms Kissoon is a hard worker and has the support of two key groups in the society – youth and women. Her focus outside of the formal structure as a parliamentarian and educator in channelling the energies and abilities of her constituents into positive avenues means she is succeeding in creating the rounded and productive citizens needed for her community and the nation’s development. Yet in spite of this performance record the senior hierarchy of the PNC is hell bent on keeping her off the List.

Ms Kissoon has earned her place to return to parliament and serve her people.

Yours faithfully,

Minette Bacchus