Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Dr. Fraser- Point of View
September 4, 2020

Politics and ‘We the People’!

Perhaps one of the best things in recent years to have emerged to get our people involved in the political life of the country has been the growth of social media. Whereas in the past the peoples’ voices were silent by the limitations imposed by the print media and to a lesser extent radio before the era of talk shows, everyone is now able to express an opinion on the state of affairs at any time of day or night. This is a mixed blessing since we are still unable to look critically at things.  We become victims to propaganda and fake news, which without hesitation we pass on to others. This is the major drawback, but the positive is that a voice is given to the man/woman on the street, so called, and the conversation starts.

We blame politicians for most of the ills of our society; for their arrogance, lack of accountability, corruption, and failure to deliver on promises, but I repeat my position. it Is we who make them so, for they do what they think they can get away with. This year it manifests itself even more than ever, with a lot of confusion being created as projects, mundane things are being pushed through in a mad rush to win our favour before we dip our hands into the ink. This is done because it has worked in the past and the hope is that it will continue.  While we must plead guilty, we should be concerned about how we are seen, as thoughtless, willing to be bought and available to be sold like slaves in a slave market. At least those slaves had little control over things.

As we carry on our conversation about politics there is a great deal of ignorance about critical matters. One recent discussion involved persons calling for limits to the term of office of Prime Ministers; some even suggested that it should also apply to parties. Their point of reference is the United States of America. But their system is completely different. Our Westminster system cannot accommodate limitations without major changes to our constitution. Ideally, we should be able to change governments when they fail to live up to what we sent them to parliament to do, but there are a number of obstacles.  Any dissatisfaction with their performance should be displayed at the polls, but with the possibility of electoral rigging, and the reality of unemployed and people living on the margins of society, easily open to bribes, it is a non-starter. Countries like Barbados and to a lesser extent Jamaica, regularly rotate the parties they give the opportunity to govern their countries. Is there something different about our people? We should really have a serious discussion about this. Some structures will help, like an independent electoral commission, although this misfired in Guyana. Can we have checks and balances to facilitate accountability, transparency, and generally good governance? But even then, the people are what will eventually matter.  We have always admired the US for its system of checks and balances, but President Trump is fiercely challenging this as he eats away at those institutions with the complicity of people in key positions.

 We must let those holding the reins of power understand that we are the ones with the power to review their terms of office and to decide whether they should be replaced or allowed to continue for a next term. Having one party in power for a long time, especially with the same leader, leads to abuses of power where those holding the reins of power come to believe that they own the country and can do whatever they feel. All is however in the hands of the people. But how do you wake them up and get them to become more politically conscious? 

 Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok