March if you must, but you have to make it count

15.JUN.07

EDITOR: On June 8, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) marched in protest for the second time this year, and after a quick but careful analysis of this action two questions continue to pop up… “What is it that they are aiming for, and are they achieving their goals?”{{more}}

The NDP which gained about 44% of the total votes cast during the general elections of December 7, 2005, must clearly be disappointed with the turnout during the protest marches – to be honest. Both protest marches, with crowds of around 3,500 – to be generous – must be a far cry from what the party had expected especially when you had people coming from the entire St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And yes, there were claims by some party stalwarts of crowds near 25,000-strong. Some also claimed that all the by-standers and lookers-on were a part of the protest. We even heard the most laughable claim that a Government Minister who was seen looking on at the protest was in support, and they thanked him for his support.

But getting back to reality, the party seems to be mistaking die-hard party support for national support. If after highly advertised and publicised protest action, fuelled by all the so-called political issues – like VAT, the $1 fee at the Grenadines Terminal, the removal of the Supervisor of Elections among other things, one just cannot understand how the NDP which gained a total of 25,655 of the 57,966 legal votes cast at the last election could not bring out a larger portion of their support. When a political party feels so strongly about an issue or issues and expects to force government from power, they must not only bring out all of their supporters, but also win over support from their opponents and grab some independents in the process. This did not happen, and they must ask themselves why.

a.) Is it that the majority of people do not think that the issues are not of the type to warrant a wholesale change of government?

b.) Is it that the New Democratic Party supporters and others are not quite sure that its leadership is totally convinced about what it is doing?

c) Is it that the masses still believe that the party is still not ready to re-take the reigns of government? or

d.) that the people are convinced that the Unity Labour Party Administration is doing a good enough job to remain in office?

Whatever the problem is, the New Democratic Party leadership must be very concerned about what it is doing and where it is taking the party. The party must also be sure, and up to date, about events in the country. As we saw prior to the second march, the NDP’s leader announced a date of June 2 during a televised National Address for the protest action only to find out that it was also the date for the Common Entrance Examination. To make a mistake like that is inexcusable.

The New Democratic Party must look at who is at its forefront and if they are the right people to push the party’s agenda. It seems as though some mouth organs are playing their own tunes. The opposition leader must not only lead, but he must be seen to be leading.

Finally, political parties have to understand that people are becoming more educated and they think a lot more. Mudslinging and the like are simply not enough anymore.

Watching Your Step