Whither goeth our democracy? – Part Four

The 2015 Election Campaign – continued

by Oswald Fereira

Other statements in the 2015 election campain that need specific comment were those about women candidates and their place in politics. Women make up approximately 50 per cent of the populace and it is sad that they may not be valued or encouraged to run for office. If these statements were made in Canada, whoever said them would not be allowed to stand for election and if the party did not remove them, they would be soundly trounced at the ballot box.{{more}} I am saddened that the women of SVG did not use their vote to send a message in this regard. Perhaps this should be thought for the future, not only for the women in our society, but for all minority groups as well.

I read of sex tapes making the rounds on social media. Unfortunately, sex and politics have always been bedfellows; John Profumo in the UK, Bill Clinton in the USA, for example. Any politician worth his or her salt must know that in this age of social media and smart phones with cameras and with capabilities to record and make videos, they are likely to be the subject of blackmail. Therefore, I am surprised that any politician would be caught in such a trap. Hopefully, this will be a lesson learnt and politicians of all stripes will ensure that in future, sex tapes will not end up being distractions from debating the relevant issues of the day.

I read of allegations that the ULP may have distributed cement, building materials and even money to entice people to vote. I also read of allegations that the NDP had containers of chicken parts to distribute. Even if these allegations were true, one cannot blame the politicians for these actions. If the populace was not willing to accept, then the politicians would have no audience for distribution and this archaic practice would have to cease. Growing up, I was always told that the upholder is worse than the thief. The populace must be willing to tell the politicians that their votes are not for sale. In order to hold our politicians to a higher moral level, we, the people, must raise our moral standards above and beyond that of the politicians and in that way the politicians will be forced to rise up to meet us. We have to pull the wool from over our eyes and attain the “upliftment” that Brother Rose is heralding.

I read of several instances of intolerance for the opposite view. Even before the election was called, stones were thrown at an NDP meeting in Richland Park. On the opposite side, bottles were thrown at a ULP gathering at Petit Bordel. These are senseless acts of violence. Innocent people could be seriously hurt and lives ruined. I read of a bus carrying ULP supporters to a youth rally being ambushed somewhere around Cumberland. I read of NDP supporters from Bequia who missed their boat from a rally on the mainland being denied passage on a supposedly ULP boat, even though the NDP supporters were willing to pay for the ride. I read of the car of the ULP candidate in one of the Kingstown seats, Deborah Charles, being vandalized, all in the name of politics. These are so reminiscent of actions in the 1960’s.

Then, there was the election and its aftermath. I hear allegations that the ULP stole the election. Be that is it may and until that is proven, I cannot condone the action of the NDP and its supporters by way of blockades and disruptions of processes to enable the wheels of government. I read that Arnhim Eustace was quoted as saying that the NDP will never accept the results of the election and the NDP elected members would refuse to be sworn into office. This amazed me because in this context, N-E-V-E-R is a strong word that does not coincide with the principles of a democracy. I can accept the fact that the NDP is disappointed at the results of the election. I can accept the fact that the NDP wants to ensure that the ULP won fairly, due to the closeness of the vote. I can accept the call for recount of the votes. I can understand disappointment over the recount and I can accept the NDP asking the Court to look into the matter and render a decision. But, at the end of the day, the NDP and Arnhim M-U-S-T accept the results of the election, because whichever way the Court decides, that is the will of the people and in a democracy, the will of the people M-U-S-T be accepted. I am glad that saner heads did prevail and the NDP elected members, including the Leader of the Opposition, were sworn in on the advice of Parnel Campbell, who I understand informed them that failure to do so would be a forfeiture of their seats in the House of Parliament. The election may be over, but SVG continues to be in turmoil. This senseless situation requires a cure, because we all need to be working together to better our nation.

My next article would compare our democracy of then, and now.