PMC calls on Government, Opposition to end unrest

The People’s Movement for Change (PMC) is making an appeal to the two major political parties to play their roles in putting an end to the political unrest in St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

In a statement dated February 12 and titled ‘Crisis in Governance, Crisis in Society,’ the social activists stated that they have observed a looming crisis, following the December 9 General Elections.

“Our country is unsettled, anger fills the airwaves and economic life is uncertain. That is the candid observation of the People’s Movement for Change…”

“When, soon after 9th December General Elections, the second most popular political party cries foul and rejects the elected Government, there is reason for unease,” the statement continued.

They also noted that during a time which should be met with government restraint, vigilance, statecraft and self-analysis, it is instead met with hostile denunciation and ridicule, where governance descends to “what I say goes,” which they term a disrespect for diversity of opinion.

“When the protesting party allows unpleasant or vile comments to be made against individual officers, mainly the supervisor of election, stirring more vileness in return, a cause becomes schism. This loss of unifying authority and morale is the surface of the crisis, as we see it, and so, we ask our fellow citizens and leaders to pause and consider pleas.”

The group called on both the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) to make the necessary moves to alleviate this budding problem.

“The PMC would like the New Democratic Party to strengthen its role as the Parliamentary Opposition and its cause of election review. Give your assent to the Government, even as you use all your powers to dismantle it.”

The PMC also requested that the NDP return to Parliament to prepare and present contributions and be the voice of Vincentians of all political persuasions, including “ULP captives.”

The statement also called on the ULP to recognize that this fourth term “presents a chance to fashion the fresh start that we expected following the so-called ‘roadblock revolution’.

“Subscribe to a people empowering, political economy and extend a penitent outreach to those who were hurt in term 1, 2 and 3. Surely, social democracy is not about crushing those whose heads rise above the crab basket,” the statement also stated.

Additionally the PMC called on the ULP to consider these as ways out of the coming “crisis of power, chaos and the resort to coercion – physical, judicial and legislative.”

Apart from the political parties, the PMC also noted that the pending crisis is also related to the kind of citizens Vincentians have become and stated that in order to make their way out of the crisis there needs to be a new kind of citizen.

“There are some of our people who are wise to the mess we are in, but keep their heads and hands below the radar as a personal security measure in the present crude practice of governance.

“There are others among our people who consider that their political tribe guarantees the better way ahead from our country and maintain the tribal warfare,” the statement continued.

The PMC also noted there are still citizens who “live well as a result of, and in spite of the woes of the economy, policy and people.”

However the statement noted that there are some persons who more readily feel and heed the call for a commitment to take up the new role that the country calls them to fill.

“The PMC points to the way ahead as a citizen led change, and we challenge ourselves and those who know the nation’s crisis, to step forward in a pro-democratic movement of significant weight, to help lead our civil society and our political society on to a new day, a deepened democracy and abundant opportunity for each and all to develop.”

The PMC was started in 2008 and was then described by lawyer and PMC general secretary Jomo Thomas as a ‘socio-political movement’.

The PMC also includes Oscar Allen as chair. (CM)