Tribute to Lloyd Best
Martin G. Daly S.C.

The thing about Lloyd Best is that one always knew that he was important, not important in the cocktail party sense, but important to the country. Lloyd is a man whose beliefs could never be compromised for the sake of a high sounding office or a tax-free car. Even people who do not know him personally are fully aware that he is important and good for the country.

I first encountered Lloyd in the Guillaumes’ house around 1973 or 1974. In the course of the evening we had a serious difference concerning the likely approach of Dr. Williams to a re-examination of the Constitution.

I remember vividly when his Tapia House contested the 1976 general elections. They did not win a seat but they had the goodwill of many people. The morning after the election a building contractor, who was working on my home and whom I discerned to be a strong PNM, said the following to me: “Mr. Daly, what do you think about the election?” Before I could reply he continued, “I real sorry that Mr. Best and Tapia did not get to form the opposition.

My contractor never answered my question whether he voted for Tapia. He probably did not but in his heart he knew that Mr. Best and his followers were good for the country, but he had “chinksed (a favourite Lloyd word).

More recently, at the time of 18-18, I commented that Mr. Robinson should have sent Mr. Manning and Mr. Panday back to the Crowne Plaza to negotiate a full agreement how to operate the country. I also wrote to Mr. Manning querying the political legitimacy of a Government selected by the President. Lloyd, with whom I had not been in recent contact, wrote approvingly of my position. Sometime later I was at Panorama and a hearty pan official, whom I knew by seeing him around, applauded me in a loud voice. “Daly, you must be good because Lloyd Best does not praise anybody.”

As is obvious, the accolade described above, is another example of the importance of Lloyd. To many persons he is a touchstone of what may have substance or is sincere. He has earned universal respect.

On the occasion of Lloyd’s retirement from the task of publisher of the Review, with total love in our hearts, we must plead with those in control of mortal destiny to keep him strong. We are never without need of his wisdom.