The T&T Debates Commission (TTDC) is preparing to stage the two debates it had planned for later this month. “The TTDC remains in preparation for two debates as previously announced,” said Lorraine O’Connor, TTDC project manager, in response to questions from the T&T Guardian on the matter.
“We intend to remain focused on delivering on our remit to make debates between the leaders of our main parties a part of our political culture. “While this might prove to be difficult, it is our sincere hope that good sense will prevail and the population will hear from the leaders in a neutral and independent forum, answering directly some of the burning questions that the electorate are eager to have answered.”
O’Connor said invitations would be sent to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who had earlier indicated through her negotiator, Larry Lalla, that she would not debate in August. The PM’s reason for this was that the TTDC had told her the Leaders’ Debate would have been held on July 30. Asked how the TTDC would proceed, should Persad-Bissessar decline the invitation to participate, O’Connor said, “We are working on different contingency plans.”
She would say no more on the matter, however, only disclosing that the TTDC would make a full statement on the matter Friday. “I would rather not elaborate on the matter as yet.” Told that there might be a perception in the government’s camp that the TTDC was biased, she said, “We have always followed the principles of balanced and fair approach to both the process and all the parties involved.”
Well-placed sources in the government’s camp said there was concern that Roman Catholic priest Father Clyde Harvey, who led a protest outside Parliament last Good Friday, was one of the commissioners on the TTDC. Harvey said he protested because he was concerned about the disillusionment of citizens.
“When the people in Parliament lose their sense of responsibility for Parliament and simply see it as a place to score political points and destroy their political opponents the society has to say no,” he had said then. Harvey’s protest came soon after Tobago East MP Vernella Alleyne-Toppin made controversial statements in Parliament about Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.
The T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) is also supporting the TTDC’s debate, saying it was the only suitable entity to stage it. TTPBA president is Darren Lee Sing, son of former Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing and husband of former PNM senator Laurel Lezama. On its website, the TTDC states it is “an independent, autonomous, not-for-profit body striving to embed a culture of debates in T&T’s democratic process.”
Debate negotiator for the Prime Minister, Larry Lalla, when asked if the PM would participate in the TTDC’s debate later this month, said, “I will not comment on anything about the TTDC at this point in time.”
TTDC’s Facebook debate countdown
Meanwhile, the TTDC, on its Facebook page, has been counting down the days to the “Great Debate.” The commission updated its Facebook cover photograph to highlight the event. On Tuesday it said, “The Great Debate 2015, The Countdown is On, 16 days left”. It also said that after one week of looking to social media to source questions for the upcoming debate, the TTDC had had an overwhelming response.
“You are definitely playing your part to ensure our leaders answer the tough questions during the debates.” The TTDC’s preparation for the event is not unlike the approach taken by Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) in organising the July 30 debate. CNMG organised the leaders’ debate with no assurance that Rowley would participate in it and, on the night of the event, produced the “Leadership Exchange,” in which Persad-Bissessar answered questions from three interviewers.