It’s all about you

THE EDITOR: In shock I listened to the Leader of the Opposition. I wondered how could a person who served as this country’s prime minister make the statements that are attributed to her and remain relevant to the politics of TT.

I am not referring to the statement about the coronavirus being less effective due to sunlight, or reopening the financially draining Petrotrin, or bringing back to life the dead sugar industry, or lowering taxes without new income, or reducing VAT without finding an alternative.

No, I am referring to the statement that this election is not about third parties, it is about Kamla and Rowley. It seems clear in the heart of some that the constituency representatives are only important to the point of allowing them to be prime minister. It is no wonder then that after a general election, constituencies like Moruga/Tableland, Sangre Grande, St Joseph, St Augustine and many others are neglected until the next five years when paving and sod-turning become the norm.

The constitution does not allow for a prime ministerial election. It allows for the election of constituency representatives who then determine, through majority support in the Parliament, who becomes prime minister. To say that this election is about the two leaders of the major parties indicates a mindset where constituents do not matter, except for electing a leader to be prime minister.

It is no wonder therefore that Moruga continues to hope for beach development and a fishing centre for decades after supporting every political party that has ever been in governance since independence. With such a mindset, the constituency representative becomes ineffective and of no value to the constituency.

Now that it has been made clear to the voters before an election how the leader of one of the major political parties thinks, one would hope that voters support representatives that will seek the interest of their constituency.

The Democratic Party of TT and the parties under the banner Better United are noticeably clear about the objectives of this election. This election is about the people of TT. From the little boy in Charlotteville to the elder in Marac, Moruga. From the business person in Chaguanas to the farmer in Toco. Everyone is important. Every vote is critical. Every constituency matters.

There are some who see themselves as demigods. To them, the election is about them and nothing else matters. Anyone who can feel justified using a helicopter as a means of transport in Trinidad, when their entourage is allowed to travel swiftly through the island without traffic restrictions, cannot have a very clear understanding of the life of the people in our communities.

The fuel for one helicopter ride could build one secure room in the fishing centre of Moruga. The funds spent on helicopter travel over five years could have transformed the infrastructure of Moruga/Tableland.

Perhaps the Opposition Leader is right, perhaps it is about Kamla and Rowley. Then every community, every political aspirant, every citizen hoping for a better water supply, better roads, safe communities, ease of conducting business, economic reform and a better quality of life do not matter.

It is my humble prayer that every citizen votes for a constituency representative that places the value of their constituency above that of party and a desire to be prime minister. Support the third options and shake up the status quo. Change the way we vote and save our wonderful country.

STEVE ALVAREZ

political leader, DPTT