Elections, Our Democracy and Independence

UNFORTUNATELY, OR fortunately, depending on one’s perspectives, the nation is again being plunged into what some social commentators have dubbed “the silly season”. From the time that Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves indicated that elections are likely to be held this year, (he has the option of up to early next year), it seems that all else must take second place as both Government and Opposition lay out their election wares.

But what’s new about the wares? There is of course the use of modern technology in the presentation, but essentially, it is the same old same-raining hell on each other and promising pie in the sky. The opposition NDP has adopted a tactic of referring to the Government and Prime Minister as “the past” and their self-appointed “Ministers” are talking about their plans. On the other hand, Prime Minister Gonsalves continues with this childish tactic of calling himself a “six-star general” preparing for a heavyweight boxing bout. Cheap amusement aside,it is time for our election campaigns to reflect growing political maturity. COME OFF IT GUYS!

As we proceed with the campaign for our 11th general elections since independence, how does the campaign reflect our political development since the “bodow” elections of 1979? Where is the evidence of growing political maturity and advancement? With all our talk about Emancipation, for all the importance of now writing our own history, of being in the forefront of decolonisation, why is there little reference to the major challenges we face as a people, as part of the Caribbean civilisation? I am not just referring here to the government but the Opposition as well, whose focus seems to be on “getting rid of this government”, in the process ridiculously calling it the “worst government” we have had. That is not helping to lift the level of the discourse. For all the noise made about the conduct and outcome of previous elections, the democratic process itself is not even under scrutiny.

Essentially, it is still the Big Ogre (Gonsalves) against Redemption, and it seems that he is enjoying the diversion. If contenders for power are saying that we have had little or no development over the last two decades, then we can’t be serious. We can question the nature of development, the effects on the society, and the direction in which these policies are carrying us. At the same time, we must be able to put forward strategic alternatives which encompass the decolonisation mandate. Getting rid of Gonsalves as Prime Minister will not automatically solve all our problems.

Recently P.M. Gonsalves has been talking to us about aiming at “First World” objectives, socially at least.

It is admirable to have such aims, especially from a party, a major constituent of which is the old Labour party, the leader of which dubbed countries like ours, “Fourth World”. There are those who would scoff at any such “First World” aspirations but whatever one’s economic status or size, essential elements like the exercise of democracy in a country must not be so constrained. As we go towards elections should not the issues like the nature of participatory democracy be as important to us as it is to the voters in the UK, Switzerland, Brazil or Singapore?