“What a tangled web we weave…”

Over the past few months, there has been a concerted effort to misrepresent facts when it comes to the Progressive Labour Party’s internal business with regards to upcoming elections for leader and deputy leader.

Let's examine a few of them, shall we.

There was the untruth by a social-media blogger about Members of Parliament/Caucus, specifically MPs and senators being forced to sign some memorandum of understanding. Somehow, his stories went viral via WhatsApp and Facebook, with MPs being questioned by their constituents as to the veracity of his claim.

Even further, it somehow became a continuing topic in the media. One has to wonder how does a completely false rumour become a top news item?

I think we know the answer.

Almost ironically, last Friday, Curtis Dickinson was asked about this issue during an interview on The Daily Hour show. He denied any such MOU existed. He said the only document that MPs sign is the standard form that all candidates pledge to give 5 per cent of their parliamentary earnings to the party. This same pledge has been in place for decades.

Shockingly and suddenly, that vile rumour now has no more validity.

Now on to another false claim that has been circulated in the media for the past few weeks and months. It had been alleged that one side was given the 2022 delegates list before the other side, thereby putting them at a disadvantage.

Not quite sure who put it out in the media; however, here are the facts:

• On October 3 at 3.20pm, the full list of delegates was sent to MP Curtis Dickinson

• On October 3, at 3.20pm the full list of delegates was sent to MP Renée Ming.

• On October 3 at 7.17pm, the full list of delegates was resent to MP Curtis Dickinson, as he advised that he did not use the gmail address the list was sent to originally

• On October 4 at 10.43am, the full list of delegates was sent to party leader David Burt

• On October 4 at 10.43am, the full list of delegates was sent to deputy party leader Walter Roban

One is left to wonder why the need for this never-ending campaign of untruths. Persons and/or entities supporting potential leaders should simply help to put forth the respective platforms, then go out and engage with constituents/delegates.

All this negative media campaigning does not really endear them to members and delegates. People want to actually see and hear what each side is presenting, as they prefer to listen to facts and figures versus contrived friction and political fiction.

If only one lesson is to be learnt by anyone vying for political office, let it be this: PLP members and delegates do not take kindly to being painted as not knowing how to make decisions on their own. Especially by less than honest anonymous sources feeding untruths to the media.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com