Whither goeth our democracy? – Part Six A

Where do we go from here?

by Oswald Fereira

The 2015 election has left us a nation divided like it never has been before, a nation in need of total repair. Every citizen, politicians of all stripes, church leaders, young and old, rich and poor, all need to get together for a total national healing.

The leaders of the ULP and the NDP have big decisions to make, decisions that will affect their respective parties and the future of political life in SVG. The Prime Minister, unless overruled by the Courts, has just won a fourth consecutive term that equals a record.{{more}} I know that records are tempting, so the inclination may be there to go for five consecutive election wins and set a new record, a dynasty that may be insurmountable. The leader of the NDP has led his party through four consecutive elections and yes, the temptation may be there for another run, perhaps one last shot at unseating the Prime Minister and stop him from five in a row, if that is the course he chooses. I read that some are saying that Arnhim must step down now. This is not our decision to make or to demand. We may offer advice in private; we may choose to try to counsel, but ultimately the decision is his and his alone. I do not envy either gentleman and I would not want to be in their respective shoes. They must be willing to engage in sober reflection and balance the needs and good of the country and their respective party over their own political ambitions. I can only comment that handing over their parties to the next generation may be better now, while the current leaders can still play a mentorship role, rather than leave it for later, as did Joshua, to the detriment of the PPP.

Both leaders have the moral responsibility to encourage their supporters to engage in a process of political healing and nation building and to reach out to people on both sides of the political divide in order to achieve this end. There is so much political energy to harness and redirect into productive means. However, I am not confident that the parties and their leaders may take an active role in this process. Politics in SVG has always been on a divide and rule basis between two strong and equal political parties. It is still the situation that we have today and as long as the parties are going to operate on the divide and rule principles, they would have no interest in changing the equation, because it could erode their power base and change the entire political dynamic in the nation and all parties would have to adjust to a new dynamic that may even allow a third or fourth political party to flourish.

The opposition party needs to accept how a democracy works. Unfortunately, a democracy works on the principle of “first past the post” and fifty per cent plus one. So, in Parliament, the party that has the majority of seats makes the rules and pass laws, regardless of how the opposition feels. I noticed that in the last Parliament there were several instances where the NDP Opposition would walk out of Parliament and take to the streets because they did not agree with whatever direction the Government took. Well, dear folks, welcome to reality. In a democracy, there is a role for the Gov-ernment and a role for the Opposition and the role of the Government is not to allow the Opposition to govern. You cannot be “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition” by walking the streets and collecting a salary. Your role is to be in the House and to contribute to the debate and hopefully convince the Government to make adju-stments for the betterment of all. The Government is going to pass whatever they wish, regardless of your protests, because they have the numbers and they have been elected to govern. Remember, dem dat have the votes mek the rules. Grandstanding in the streets will make no difference to the Government. Unfortunately, politics can be an unkind master and it takes the patience of Job to persevere. Regrettably, as I write this, I read that the leader of the NDP has stated that his seven members have no intention of sitting in the House and will play a game of returning to the House 10 minutes at a time and stay away for most of the time, and I suppose they expect to be drawing a salary. What a lovely job! Any working stiff in SVG, including all the NDP supporters, who so lovingly elected these seven gentlemen to represent them in the House, should they try working for only 10 minutes and skipping work for the majority of the time, would in short order find that they have no job to return to. So, why are politicians allowed to vacate their place of employment and get a salary? Why are there rules for the general populace, but politicians can do as they please?

Not only is the NDP boycotting the House, but the leader has called his supporters to gather in a show of civil disobedience. Now, there is a misnomer if I ever heard one. To be civil means to be polite and to disobey means to be the opposite. To use civil and disobedience in juxtaposition is an oxymoron. Furthermore, given the highly charged situation in which emotions are running rampant, it is nigh impossible to have civil disobedience, because supporters of the other side are likely to gather and skirmishes may be inevitable. The Searchlight has already reported that there was pushing and shoving and exchanges of words at the scene of the recent Exeter arrest. Civil disobedience, even with the best intentions, is likely to result in civil strife. If civil strife erupts, the Government, yes, we do have a functioning Government, even though the Opposition has abdicated its role, will respond. You are likely to see emergency measures, even martial law. Vincentians could then be subject to dusk to dawn curfews and restrictions in their ability to assemble and to move around. An already weak economy could be further shaken, as tourism dries up and foreign capital flees. SVG will likely become a laughing stock. This civil disobedience strategy needs some further thought.

To be continued in Midweek Searchlight on Tuesday, March 1