Code a challenge for the people, parties, politicians

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon sees the “push-back” against the Code of Ethical Political Conduct as shortsighted and not in the interest of a mature democracy.

“If a politician wants a mature democracy and does not want to take on the Code, I would ask them, ‘if you cannot deal with a Code going into an election, what you going to do afterwards? If you don’t know about ethical standards on the way in, you are not going to know about it when you’re already elected’,” he stated.

Archbishop Gordon made these comments on ‘For the Greater Good—Integrity Check’ a one-hour panel discussion on Trinity TV, broadcast on Sunday, April 6. He was responding to the question posed by moderator Roger Sant, on why there was push-back to the Code.

The General Election is scheduled for Monday, April 28, and the conduct of political parties and their candidates will be monitored by the Council for Responsible Political Behaviour.

He later said the conduct during election was reflective of the citizenry and this saddened him. Archbishop Gordon commented that if citizens refused to vote for those who refused to uphold high standards, “the politicians will change very quickly”. He added, “they doing what they doing because they believe that’s how they get their vote, and I think it is a poor reflection of us as a society.”

Other panellists sharing their views were: Vice-Chair of the Council Ralph Peter, of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha; Secretary for the Council, Leela Ramdeen, and Pastor Clive Dottin of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Peter said, “If as a leader you tell the population, ‘I am not following the Code’, it sends a signal to your followers, [and] it sends a signal to the younger generation that it is okay not to follow rules”.

This was one of the things that created problems in society. Pastor Dottin said politics in the country has become “bribe infested so that I am accountable to my briber or my ‘bribologist’, but not to the Council. So, we are accountable but to the wrong people who wish to own us…That has to be called out.”

Dottin commented that politician’s prey on people’s fear and paranoia. He asserted that he has seen reports in the Trinidad Express and Trinidad Guardian with people stating they will not take on the Council. Dottin believes no party should say this, “you are being unethical, and I also want to say it comes across to me as godless because of the issue of divine purpose and divine accountability. We are in the field of theology, we understand that, and we try to promote that. We have to keep before people’s minds what is best for our society and how much am I willing to contribute to be the best.”

Ramdeen stated the Council did not have power to sanction and could only use moral suasion. It also needed more resources. Ramdeen asserted that the Code was applicable whether or not parties are signatories.

“It applies to everybody: the leaders, the candidates, the supporters,” she said. She reminded the public that political parties were invited to share their views on the Code when it was being drafted, but now the Council is being called unethical.

The Council has monitored eight elections [local government, Tobago included]. While it is getting “licks” from some parties, Ramdeen outlined their role: “We are here to foster democracy, free and fair elections, no intimidation, no bribery. We are here also to promote respect for human rights, also to encourage participation in the electoral process. People shouldn’t be intimidated not to go out to vote or not to vote… and the fourth goal, is to promote an election process free from violence.”

She underscored public involvement in monitoring adherence to the Code, inviting people to make reports to the Council via:  www.politicalethicstt.org

‘For the Greater Good—Integrity Check’ is available for viewing on YouTube. —LPG

Editor’s Note: The Code of Ethical Political Conduct was published in the April 6 issue of The Catholic News.