I do not believe that the Dragon Field initiative is dead. The rumours of its end are greatly exaggerated. For context, I advance this quotation from the influential US Politico newsletter. It was written about the tariff situation of last week, but it can easily fit our situation. “He likes …
Read More »Noble: ‘One day you’re in, the next you’re out’—evaluating our 2025 election candidates
“The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do, for themselves—in their separate, and individual capacities.” US President Abraham Lincoln, 1854. This week saw the United National Congress (UNC) struggle …
Read More »Noble: Political muck from all sides—is mad we mad, oui!
We are living in difficult times. We are witnessing the world, as we know it, turn topsy-turvy. But we want to be seduced into believing that there is a magic wand that will restore us to the glory days when oil and gas prices were high. We want to be …
Read More »Vaneisa: Why not stop now? Bullying must not be ‘our way of life’
It’s a little bit uncanny that I had wanted to return to discussing trauma, particularly the impact of bullying, before the issue raised itself vehemently in the public space. The story of five years of alleged physical abuse at St Mary’s College suffered by a student, who was expelled when …
Read More »Daly Bread: The Young move—reviewing new prime minister’s early election date
Twenty-four hours after his appointment by virtue of section 76(1) (a) of the Constitution to replace former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, new prime minister Stuart Young called the next general election for April 28. This Young move is probably a good move for his prospects to be re-appointed as …
Read More »Daly Bread: Will Stuart Young make a difference as leader of “next-generation government”?
Stuart Young is on the eve of becoming prime minister. This will be the result of a process designed to have him appointed under section 76 (1) (a) of the Constitution and behind which the Members of the House of Representatives of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) appear to …
Read More »Noble: What can—and should—Trinidad and Tobago expect from Stuart Young?
Within a week, the prime minister-designate, Stuart Young, will assume the role of the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Ferdie Ferreira, a long-time People’s National Movement (PNM) stalwart, said the PNM has never had a succession plan in its 68-year history. He made this comment when there was dissent …
Read More »Daly Bread: Young approaches coronation day, as PNM close ranks
Stuart Young SC, member of the House of Representatives and currently minister of Energy and minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, is set to succeed Dr Keith Rowley as prime minister once Rowley resigns in one week’s time, as he has committed to do. On condition that Young …
Read More »Dear Editor: Demming’s critique of Dr Rowley’s legacy is misleading and unfair
“[…] Dennise Demming, like many others, highlights Dr Keith Rowley’s TT$87,847 pension while juxtaposing it against the TT$3,000 pension of senior citizens. This comparison is both disingenuous and misleading. “The salaries and benefits of public officials, including the prime minister, are determined by the Salaries Review Commission—an independent body tasked …
Read More »Demming: Dr Rowley leaves disappointing legacy, despite “attempts to rewrite history”
Congratulations to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on his departure from Whitehall and return to Mason Hall. His administration leaves behind a new airport terminal in Tobago, perhaps its final claim to success. As he transitions to retirement with a TT$87,847 monthly pension, the citizens who entrusted him with leadership …
Read More »Daly Bread: Word from the ground, on panyard tours and public service succession
Tonight marks the start of the National Large Conventional Band preliminaries. I have described the magnificence of this evening in the Northern Region. (See for example Magnificent Monday, a column published some years ago and available in The Daly Commentaries.) In addition to the magnificence of the music, a pleasing …
Read More »Daly Bread: Mysteries and ongoing manoeuvres of Rowley’s long goodbye
February has arrived. It is a month that is usually the prelude to our annual carnival, which culminates in two days of what used to be ingenious and artistic masquerade, (colloquially known as mas’). However, some mas’ has introduced a Mardi Gras strut that contains an unwelcome shade or classist …
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