AFTER its landslide victory in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, over the People’s National Movement (PNM) on December 6, last year, the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) now train its guns on Trinidad.
It’s the quandary of a third party, as Watson Duke Deputy Chief Secretary of the THA has declared that the PDP will contest every election in Trinidad going forward.
The PDP, which was established in 2016, won 14 of the 15 electoral districts in the election. Boosted by the PDP’s resounding victory, its leader Watson Duke, the Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), said the PDP’s impact as a political party will be felt in Trinidad as it had been felt in Tobago – like a landslide.
Duke is a flamboyant character to say the least and has a way to capture the attention of the young voters in much the same way he maintained his post as president of the Public Services Association (PSA) for many years. He promised to continue to support the working class in his role as THA deputy chief secretary. He stated recently: “As the deputy chief secretary and as the chief servant, I will continue to speak on workers’ behalf, whether I am the deputy chief secretary or not because workers are the backbone of any country and I do not know how to betray workers.”
What does a third party in the landscape of Trinidad and Tobago politics really offer?
In the past many have tried to get support for a third party with their new ideas and plans, promises that never really materialised.
However, no third party was ever able to have a substantial showing at the polls ever since the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR). This was the party that took Government in Trinidad and Tobago between 1986 and 1991. Many consider it an aberration never to be repeated.
Unfortunately, the ruling PNM party has lost its lustre and appeal in 2022, as it is hounded by corruption, nepotism and betrayal of its people and its core values. Unable to shake the public perceptions of contracts for their financiers, the country is continually plagued by deteriorating health services, untenable infrastructure, worst roads in history, transportation problems, a crime spate unchecked, an underperforming economy, a justice system in turmoil, inflation and shortage of foreign exchange.
The citizens must consider this one long and hard as it’s a difficult task. A third party seeking to convince a mature voting public in Trinidad is a hard task, with die-hard supporters that beat to the drum of the ruling party, they will have to appeal to the undecided voters. Their motivation is for a better Trinidad without corruption and they are motivated by sound plans for the future rather than emotions.
Third parties of the past have never seemed to capture enough support regardless of their ideas of good governance. They are seen as vote spoilers where they hinder a really strong second contender to win government.
Let’s hope this is not the case with Duke and his push to bring PDP into the politics of Trinidad.
A third party would need to be able to align themselves with the right choice to be able to make an impact in Trinidad politics as they will find it difficult to muster enough support in this political landscape.
However, the emergence of Duke’s third party in Trinidad provides a unique opportunity for the opposition to review its strategies and motivate supporters for one outcome, the removal of a Government that is clearly seen as underperforming and has lost touch with its core values.
An uncaring facade of its previous version, unappealing with accusations of rampant nepotism for the few who consider themselves the elite.
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, the North East Regional Coordinator of the United National Congress and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration. The comments and opinions expressed by him in this column are not necessarily those of AZPNews.com, a division of Complete Image Limited
Third Party Politics in T&T
AFTER its landslide victory in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, over the People’s National Movement (PNM) on December 6, last year, the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) now train its guns on Trinidad.
It’s the quandary of a third party, as Watson Duke Deputy Chief Secretary of the THA has declared that the PDP will contest every election in Trinidad going forward.
The PDP, which was established in 2016, won 14 of the 15 electoral districts in the election. Boosted by the PDP’s resounding victory, its leader Watson Duke, the Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), said the PDP’s impact as a political party will be felt in Trinidad as it had been felt in Tobago – like a landslide.
Duke is a flamboyant character to say the least and has a way to capture the attention of the young voters in much the same way he maintained his post as president of the Public Services Association (PSA) for many years. He promised to continue to support the working class in his role as THA deputy chief secretary. He stated recently: “As the deputy chief secretary and as the chief servant, I will continue to speak on workers’ behalf, whether I am the deputy chief secretary or not because workers are the backbone of any country and I do not know how to betray workers.”
What does a third party in the landscape of Trinidad and Tobago politics really offer?
In the past many have tried to get support for a third party with their new ideas and plans, promises that never really materialised.
However, no third party was ever able to have a substantial showing at the polls ever since the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR). This was the party that took Government in Trinidad and Tobago between 1986 and 1991. Many consider it an aberration never to be repeated.
Unfortunately, the ruling PNM party has lost its lustre and appeal in 2022, as it is hounded by corruption, nepotism and betrayal of its people and its core values. Unable to shake the public perceptions of contracts for their financiers, the country is continually plagued by deteriorating health services, untenable infrastructure, worst roads in history, transportation problems, a crime spate unchecked, an underperforming economy, a justice system in turmoil, inflation and shortage of foreign exchange.
The citizens must consider this one long and hard as it’s a difficult task. A third party seeking to convince a mature voting public in Trinidad is a hard task, with die-hard supporters that beat to the drum of the ruling party, they will have to appeal to the undecided voters. Their motivation is for a better Trinidad without corruption and they are motivated by sound plans for the future rather than emotions.
Third parties of the past have never seemed to capture enough support regardless of their ideas of good governance. They are seen as vote spoilers where they hinder a really strong second contender to win government.
Let’s hope this is not the case with Duke and his push to bring PDP into the politics of Trinidad.
A third party would need to be able to align themselves with the right choice to be able to make an impact in Trinidad politics as they will find it difficult to muster enough support in this political landscape.
However, the emergence of Duke’s third party in Trinidad provides a unique opportunity for the opposition to review its strategies and motivate supporters for one outcome, the removal of a Government that is clearly seen as underperforming and has lost touch with its core values.
An uncaring facade of its previous version, unappealing with accusations of rampant nepotism for the few who consider themselves the elite.
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, the North East Regional Coordinator of the United National Congress and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration. The comments and opinions expressed by him in this column are not necessarily those of AZPNews.com, a division of Complete Image Limited