As a conscientious disruptor, UNC MP Dr Rai Ragbir has become politically famous or infamous, depending on who is judging.
Two weeks ago, the Manzanilla/Cumuto MP bravely broke ranks with his party and surprisingly voted with the PNM government to pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill by 22-15 votes – a simple majority, departing from the earlier special-majority version.
This has left Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar fuming against Ragbir. An angry Persad-Bissessar warned that the newly-installed UNC 12-member national executive (natex) will deal with Ragbir through its disciplinary committee, giving him an opportunity to explain.
She appeared upset also because Ragbir belongs to Mayaro MP Rushton Paray’s United Patriots, which not only forcefully challenged her leadership, but, with stout legal help, valiantly fought her natex slate in the June 15 elections.
However, Ragbir’s United Patriots team – Rushton Paray, Dinesh Rambally, Rodney Charles and Anita Haynes-Alleyne – followed the UNC’s position.
Why did Ragbir vote so when the PNM already had its majority? Could his blow have been less severe if he had abstained instead?
Anyhow, all hell broke loose over Ragbir. PNM MPs went into a celebratory mood, exchanging smiles with Ragbir, while Persad-Bissessar and her shocked MPs were left wondering how to deal with this “party disloyalty.”
That was hot news. Matters of crime and the economy became temporarily sidelined.
UNC whip David Lee angrily said that since 2015, Dr Ragbir knew the UNC opposed the bill.
In fact, it is beginning to look as if Ragbir is prepared to be a sacrificial lamb for a bigger cause. How will he vote next time?
Saying he was putting “country before party,” Ragbir defensively explained his renegade action was inspired by “numerous concerns expressed by individuals regarding certain actions within the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation but who were afraid to report these matters to the police.” More information to come, he added.
UNC corporation chairman Kenwyn Phillip told Ragbir to take his “whistleblower” complaints to the police.
Assuming Ragbir appears before the UNC disciplinary committee, it may decide on his renegade vote, but will the committee ask him to forward his regional corporation “disclosures” (complaints) to the police?
The Whistleblower Protection Bill (still to be passed in the Senate) defines “disclosures” as “information by a person which shows or potentially shows that improper conduct has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur.”
Appearing undisturbed, Ragbir said he was guided by his “conscience, his Christianity and his spiritual and moral values.” Now, how can you blame a man voting for such reasons? Ordinarily in life, such people are admired, celebrated for standing up for “principle.”
But there is much more in this case. To what extent was Ragbir allowed to vote by “conscience” or by ANR Robinson-type “moral and spiritual values"? Persad-Bissessar didn’t instruct a “conscience vote” for this bill. Surprisingly, Paray
