All To Vote For

Never have the stakes been so high.

Next Thursday, November 27, increasingly blocks out all else in our immediate importance for after all, it is the day on which eligible voters in our nation must make the most important decision in relation to the governance of our country over the next five years, but with implications for far beyond that.

For the seventh time in succession, we are faced with the same choice of parties, if not individual political leadership, in the form of the governing Unity Labour Party (ULP), and the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP). However, never since the bitter party rivalry of the sixties have the political divisions and animosity been so sharp. Of course, there is disagreement as to the causes of this unfortunate situation which, no doubt, will help to influence the voting choice, but it is a situation that we must face squarely.

No doubt the stakes, real or imagined, are high. In choosing to lead his party into the election once again, Prime Minister Gonsalves has chosen to put his considerable reputation at the local, regional and

international level on the line in his insistence to become the first Caribbean leader to score six consecutive electoral victories. It is a remarkable demonstration not only of personal courage but also of his apparent abiding faith in the choice of the voting population. One cannot help, irrespective of how one feels about his extended stewardship, but admire him for this faith. It is left to be seen however how justified it really is. Should he succeed, the younger persons may perhaps feel uncomfortable that next year our country will join the list of countries governed by octogenarians. To tell the truth, the list is far from a glowing one, containing the names of some of the most dictatorial leaders on planet earth. If that happens to be our case though, it will be important that the burning question of succession and leadership is put to rest as soon as possible.

With so much to lose, it is easy for desperation to set in even as polling day creeps nearer. The past two weeks, despite repeated shows of public support, have not been kind to PM Gonsalves and his fortunes. First, there was the attack launched by a junior minister in Trinidad and Tobago making allegations and aspersions against the PM and his immediate family over acquisitions of publicly sold properties in Port of Spain. Though based on the evidence before the public so far, there seems to be no wrongdoing, such allegations on the eve of a general election can be quite damaging.

Then, at perhaps a most inopportune time politically, came the public resurrection of one of Dr Gonsalves former colleagues and comrades, former Government Minister Mike Browne. Mr Browne has dropped out of public sight in recent years but appeared, quite appropriately on the platform of the local Teachers Union as it commemorated the 50th anniversary of the biggest battle of its existence, the 1975 Teachers Strike in which he played the most prominent role. He chose the occasion to announce publicly that he was not voting in the upcoming election.That is his business, but it appeared that he wanted to make a point where his former colleagues are concerned. The only bigger political blow Browne could have aimed at Gonsalves and the ULP was that he would support the NDP. To his credit, he did not go that far.

These are events which can rattle any leader but the indomitable Gonsalves seems unperturbed. He continues to exude confidence in his party’s fortunes. Privately though, it must have crossed his mind whether his decision to soldier on as leader, despite having a cadre of still young, but politically experienced and certainly technically capable team, was in the circumstances the best one. The electorate will cast the verdict.

Opposing him and riding a wave of popularity, is the opposition NDP. It must be aware that it has ridden this wave before only to be pipped on the finish line. The prospect of another close loss is itself a source of desperation. The party must know that it cannot afford to lose one more time. It finds itself like a gambler at the “last chance saloon”.

In addition, the wily and embattled Gonsalves has thrown out barbs of his own. Following nomination Day, “supporters” of his party have made challenges to the nomination of both party leader, Godwin Friday, and his colleague Fitzgerald Bramble, on the grounds that they are not entitled to be legally elected because they owe allegiance to foreign powers, holding passports of a foreign nation. While this is a matter to be settled by the court, the implications are quite huge and most unwelcome on the eve of election.

While these, and no doubt other last-minute issues will have some influence, it is important that one makes a sober overall judgement as to how one votes.

Elections in any country these days is much more than deciding to punish a party or politician for perceived failure to satisfy one’s ambitions. The world is now a complicated place where what is called geopolitics now prevails. A sober balance of performance, integrity, programmes and policies and ability to lead a country in a modern world must be made.

It is no time for personal pique but of endorsing or rejecting a vision for the future. It is true that many things are not as they ought to be. Parties now wait until election eve to produce manifestos, if they produce any at all. Our campaigns have degenerated in quality, and even when sound ideas are put forward, they are lost in a “nice time” atmosphere.

It is our duty to rise above these and to make our vote count for our children’s future.

• Renwick Rose is a Social and Political commentator.