THE EDITOR: If there is one lesson to learn from the Kamala Harris's nomination by the Democratic Party in the US is that a new face excites a population to vote and participate in the electoral process.
In TT, that kind of excitement was generated several times, resulting in victories for the party that was represented. It started with George Chambers's replacement of Eric Williams, ANR Robinson and the NAR, Basdeo Panday and the UNC, Patrick Manning and Keith Rowley of the PNM, and Kamla Persad-Bissessar of the People's Partnership.
Today, there is no political excitement as the people seeking office have been there and their history is well known to the voting public.
Regardless of how many times one was to appear on television and get mentioned in the media, there is nothing the present crop of politicians can bring to the political table to excite the voting public. The public has over the years determined what it would expect from these leaders.
The default position is that core supporters will vote as they did in the past for their political party and that usually favours the PNM. The people who really determine who forms the government, the individuals who vote for either party, usually do not vote in times like these.
They are not motivated by media conferences, or old talk. They are motivated by the possibility of real change that emanates from new leadership and a vision for a better TT. New face, new vision, new initiatives wake up a sleeping electorate as indicated in the awakening of the Democratic Party in the US and the recent election in the UK.
There is still time for someone to emerge in TT. Rushton Paray and his group, who dared to challenge the leadership of the UNC, can possibly ignite that kind of excitement if they dare to stand for integrity, sincerity and that which is best for TT. They must be accompanied by TT's best minds and people with a history of honesty, like Timothy Hamel-Smith.
If there were to be a concerted effort of the best minds and sincere people of TT to get together and unite in the best interest of country, there is every possibility that the kind of excitement needed for real change can begin and grow into a victory at the polls.
If on the contrary the status quo continues with the same leaders who served in government and have disappointed the voting public, then the electoral results would remain as indicated in the recent local government election where the country remains divided, and the voters continue their support based on ethnicity. That usually translates into a victory for the ruling party.
Change is possible but that must start with new personnel daring to stand for country.
STEVE ALVAREZ
via e-mail
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