EDITORIAL

The time has come for the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to deal decisively with the Kenrick Fullerton affair.

A clear and definite statement has to be made by the party in sending a signal to its supporters and the rest of the country as regards its ability to take firm and decisive decisions on issues.

Mr. Fullerton appears to be a very insensitive person. He was given a fresh lease of life a few months ago with the insurance matter and is blowing the good luck and fortune that went his way.

He is now at the centre of another controversy as regards allegations of wife-beating and abuse.

That is not the stuff one expects of any member of Parliament or any person who is offering himself for public office in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The so-called investigation that is now at work within the Congress party to probe the allegations is coming too late. It should have been at work within a matter of days of the allegations surfacing in the country.

The damage control that is now being attempted might just be too late since the horse might have already bolted from the stable.

Mr. Fullerton should be put aside for the time being in the interest of the party and the country as a whole. He should not be allowed to get away with this kind of behaviour.

If he is facing these kinds of allegations and accusations when only in opposition, one hates to think what might happen with power and authority in his hands as an elected government official.

There are some people who just do not know how to deal with power and authority. Perhaps, this might be the case with Mr. Fullerton. He needs to understand that he is not operating as an individual but is part of a group.

GRENADA TODAY subscribe to the view that perception has a lot to do in politics.

And if it is perceived by a vast majority of the people that Mr. Fullerton is a wife beater or abuses women then it is not only harmful to him but the party that he belongs.

How can the Political Leader of the Congress, Mr. Tillman Thomas continue to parade on the national political stage as Mr. Clean, the man who promotes integrity in public life, accountability and transparency in government, and on the side of him is one with a very suspicious track record?

The riot act has to be read to Mr. Fullerton this time. It is no longer a matter of slapping him on the two wrists and admonishing him to demonstrate better behaviour.

Our view is that once a person offers himself for public office then his private life and affairs should be scrutinised by all and sundry.

The NDC cannot afford to sweep this latest issue with Mr. Fullerton under the carpet on the grounds that the NNP can be accused of engaging in similar behaviour.

Yes, it is true that on the other side one Minister of Government stoned down the house of an individual because that minister¹s other half was engaged in a personal relationship with another person.

Yes, it is true that a member of the government side did use an object to inflict a wound on the head of another person holding high and public office in this country.

Indeed, the NDC has been promoting itself as a party that is vastly different from that of the NNP.

An opportunity has now presented itself for the Congress to walk the high road where morality is concerned.

It is now up to the decision-makers within the NDC to seize the opportunity or blow it where Mr. Fullerton is concerned.

Our position is that the M.P for St. Andrew South-east should be put aside for the time being and asked to put his private life in good order for the good of the party and the nation as a whole.

Mr. Fullerton has youth on his side and might be able to bounce back politically in the years ahead if he has the will and determination to do so.

However, enough is just enough where this gentleman is concerned.