Christmas cheer - it's straight up political handouts - just in time for Christmas - a policy manifestation at the state level of the political patronage system invented by George Price - and still alive and well in Dean Barrow.
Here's how it works, courtesy of Petrocaribe funds, each UDP Representative gets one hundred and ten thousand dollars, and each PUP gets thirty five thousand dollars, courtesy of Petrocaribe to spend on their constituents. UDP standard bearers also get an allotment. Now, no one gets cash money; they get an allotment from the government treasury, which they then distribute amongst their constituents as they see fit.
It's ticklish for the PUP this year because they're in court challenging the spending of Petrocaribe money; in fact they asked the court to stop the government for spending the petr-bucks. And now, they're feeding from that same public trough.
Their opponents accuse them of hypocrisy - and yesterday at a political convention, the leader of the opposition told us it's not such a big deal:...
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"We run the risks of looking hypocritical, but we believe that of all the programs funed under the PetroCaribe program, this one in every respect perhaps the most transparent, the most accountable. We receive no monies. We submit an invoice and all the monies are then given directly through the Ministry of Human Development to the supplier of those goods and of course the representatives feel that its our money, its the people's money and the people in the divisions deserve an opportunity to participate in the program. We were also concern about equity. Obviously that has not been achieved. We understand the UDPs are getting I think $110,000, we are getting $35,000. But we are participating in the program."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this a case of cut me in or cut me out - in so far as there is room in my opinion for some corruption under the system. If you tell a business owner (you are not handling the money), but if you tell a business owner I am sending $30,000 worth of business you way - remember me, I need 10%."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"Certainly not in our case."
Jules Vasquez
"Yes but it does happen. It seems that it's okay if you all are doing it."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I've explain myself. I've given an answer to why we've agreed to participate in the program. I am sure you could make many arguments..."
Jules Vasquez
"Yes but you are saying it is transparent because you all are involve. But I am saying for me as a tax payer....."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I'm saying it's transparent because those are the rules set by the financial secretary."
Jules Vasquez
"But you will agree there is still room for graft - if you cut a business owner...."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"Not as far as we are concern. We will follow those rules strictly and adhere to them. We certainly expect the government to do the same."
Jules Vasquez
"It is high clientelism, the patronage imply in this program, is that irresistible in politics? Is that really the nature of politics?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I think an argument can be made Jules, that it is irresistible and people need help. Its Christmas time, that's when people want something on their table; they want the ham, they want the turkey and so yes, there is an element of that. I certainly would not walk away from that suggestion."
Jules Vasquez
"And when you get that help, isn't it fair to say that you will give your people first which would be a PUP first situation and that's how it is. That's how it has to be. Its only $35,000 you got."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"I can speak about Freetown; we give the most needy people in our division and those are people who support us and other who have not supported us in the past, but they are the most needy."
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