Personal attacks between politicians have escalated into a crisis, and the public hates it. The tit for tat involving the PM (in parliament) and former PM (outside of parliament) has sparked political storm. The former PM Dr Rowley launched a sharp unrequired attack on Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar. The words against the PM come across as vile, crude, hateful, and racist. Even critics of Kamla object to Rowley’s choice of the j word.
The personality attack or verbal insults (calling her the j word) by Dr Rowley against the sitting PM has turned off many, including his and the PNM loyal supporters, not to mention floating voters who are now increasingly turned off by what has passed as politics.
Personal attacks have been a recurring feature of T&T politics going back decades. But it has intensified in recent years especially at parliamentary proceedings and now outside parliament by the former PM. While Rowley stated that he doesn’t care what the media or critics say about his words, he is urged to rethink his choice of descriptive words when calling out or attacking others. The public is not pleased with his words. He and those who justify them should engage floating voters for their thoughts on the matter. The public feel that the former PM has gone too far and crossed boundaries making personal, objectionable remarks against the sitting PM.
Intense attacks on policy decisions are within the rules of the game but not vicarious kin derogation or on one’s personality or name or faith or private lifestyle or personal appearance.
Politicians are forewarned that historical personal attacks against Kamla backfired in 2010 and 2025 as they increased her popularity – remember the leadership contest in January 2010 when Panday went personal on Kamla’s lifestyle; she trounced him by a landslide. She also retired Patrick Manning in the 2010 elections and PNM again in 2025 in spite of terrible name callings. Every attack against Kamla has resulted in a rise in popularity. She built a narrative of victimhood and women of all ethnicities and classes rallied behind her garnering electoral support to defeat her attackers. Rowley’s popularity also increased when he was attacked in 2015, winning comfortably and re-elected in 2020. People (in an echo chamber) may laugh at personal attacks of opponents, but the floating voters are turned off by such strafing hurting the attackers.
The official Opposition has also leveled charges that Kamla has been under pressure from the US, making decisions that favor Washington. They have criticized her for support of America against Venezuela and Cuba. The nation is reminded that the President of USA is a transactional leader. If T&T had not supported USA, visas would have been cancelled or denied, and Dragon Gas deal would have been dead. In addition, the US$1 billion loan would not have been possible. The US$4.5 B investment to rehabilitate the refinery would not have been possible. Leaders must think and act what is in their nation’s best interests. Siding with USA was one of those ‘interests’ case.
Politicians are reminded that personal attacks dehumanize opponents. These attacks don’t help the image of Dr Rowley and the PNM. Politicians should refrain from making personal remarks!
Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram (PhD Politics)
