Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has introduced his own twist on a familiar political proverb, arguing that in the current climate of governance, “powerlessness corrupts — and absolute powerlessness corrupts absolutely.” The former prime minister delivered the remark while criticising what he described as confusion, interference and a lack of structured authority within the newly elected NDP administration.
Gonsalves pointed to a recent incident in Byera involving BRAGSA workers who were clearing a river. According to him, an unelected NDP figure attempted to stop the work and demanded to know who had authorised it, insisting that nothing should take place in the constituency without his personal blessing. Gonsalves said this behaviour reflects a troubling misunderstanding of how state institutions operate, arguing that agencies do not require the approval of individual politicians to perform legally mandated tasks.
He said that instead of focusing on real national and international issues, some political actors are “having mouth” only for small, local activities — scolding workers, blocking basic maintenance projects, and turning routine duties into political theatre. In his view, this happens because those individuals lack the capacity, confidence or authority to contribute meaningfully on larger matters such as foreign policy, regional diplomacy, or broader national development.
Gonsalves argued that this fixation on trivial control — whether it is the clearing of a drain or the cleaning of a river — stems from an insecurity born out of political inexperience. When leaders do not possess the strength or understanding to guide major policy directions, he said, they compensate by inserting themselves into small tasks where they can appear powerful, even though the authority is neither theirs nor required.
He further described the government’s current state as being “at a standstill,” claiming that administrative processes are being slowed by individuals who prioritise political permission over legal procedure. According to him, a functioning system relies on permanent secretaries, professional boards, and statutory bodies acting on established rules — not on arbitrary instructions from party operatives.
The opposition leader’s remarks continue a pattern of criticisms aimed at the NDP’s early weeks in office, as he has accused the government of mishandling personnel matters, engaging in wrongful dismissals, and misunderstanding the boundaries between political influence and administrative responsibility.
