Editorial: September 12, 2014
No one thought of it then, but if there is any similarity between the outcome of this just concluded General Elections is the close similarity where the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) raked in seven out of nine in this election and Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) (two), grabbed six in 2009 leaving the Independents who numbered nine to get the other three.
From an analyst point of view there are many differences in this election where there were two parties. The result showed that the electorate responded to firstly, a desire for change of those things had become unbearable, jobs, high prices and generally cost of living and no effort or sign of relief in the near future.
Then there is what the opposition led by now Premier Donaldson Romeo harped on all the time the lack consultation and information for the benefit of the people.
It didn’t help that this newspaper kept complaining on the issue and more so Premier Reuben T. Meade posturing that he doesn’t have to consult with ‘anyone’ to include his ministers, who will in cabinet, validate his decisions.
It was really easy while PDM mounted one of the best campaigns, if not for all time, certainly in the last 30 years, where in the last month the confidence of victory was so high they began referring to the MCAP government as the ‘outgoing’ government; and at their last rally the entry of the candidates was one of pomp. The swearing ceremony of the Premier was attended by a crowd of well-wishers and supporters, difficult to remember.
Easy because the campaign was built on a theme which said: “Putting People First – A Fresh Start” that will reflect, Transparency, Equality, Accountability and Integrity. These are ideals that this newspaper has been preaching since 1994 and particularly the last 14 years.
Easy because of the failure of MCAP to honour its Premiers commitment from 2009: “Our commitment to you is that we will: build a new prosperity in which all would share. Restore the dignity and self-confidence of our people…”
As well as: 1. “We pledge a new approach to leadership, with a team of strong, competent and compassionate leaders who reject ‘one-manism’ and embrace the concept of team spirit and shared responsibilities.”
- “We will restore the public trust in government through the passage of integrity legislation and the institution of procedures and mechanisms for ensuring transparency and accountability in policymaking, planning and programme management. We will protect no interest except the public good.”
With the failure to produce anything positive in these and others of the 12 commitments and 11 pledges, PDM, following the Premier’s near admission of one-manism and a motion of no confidence in that regard, had little difficulty in launching their platform against MCAP.
Of the outgoing Ministers there is at least one among them who should have left the MCAP government, if not sooner when David Osborne did so, later and more recently, when he was encouraged to do so after suffering at the obvious attempts to make him irrelevant. His performance at the polls was the worst of the four ministers, in fact placing last of the five remaining for MCAP. Talking to the public by radio without explaining credibly why they stayed, is ludicrous
It would appear that the cadre of former top public servants on the PDM team that aspect of not having to learn how government functions properly as they have said in their campaign should serve them well as some of them move up to being ministers which we hope they will take on with the knowledge of what it truly entails. Another plus, is that there are three former legislators.
