UNC/NTA success paves way for general election triumph

GARY GRIFFITH

political leader, NTA

I HAVE taken note of certain negative comments aimed at the NTA (National Transformation Alliance) following the local government elections (LGE), falling into two distinct categories.

One comprises those who are likely to go down the pecking order based on the quality people the NTA will bring to the table to join with the UNC, as they prefer to be big fish in small ponds in opposition. And the other includes those who overtly or covertly support the PNM (People's National Movement), whether as part of the PNM A Team or PNM B Team.

Driven by self-interest and greed, the individuals in question are either fearful of losing their modest positions, or concerned that the small benefits they receive will cease. While it's reasonable to be apprehensive about the combined 58 per cent vote share achieved by the UNC/NTA alliance in the 2023 LGE, which is the exact percentage the UNC/COP (Congress of the People) alliance secured in the 2010 general election, their arguments to counter this outcome are fundamentally flawed.

1. It is immensely disrespectful to the electorate for anyone, especially those harbouring political aspirations, to assume that votes are inherently tied to the UNC, PNM or NTA. At the NTA, we firmly believe that every vote must be earned, and this principle drives our continued dedication to serve.

2. It's illogical to attribute the 16,000 votes garnered by the NTA solely to the UNC. Without being present in the voting booth with those individuals, such assertions are baseless.

3. In the 2023 LGE elections, the NTA secured 16,000 votes in the same 31 seats where the UNC received 13,000 in the 2019 LGE. This indicates an almost 20 per cent increase for the NTA.

4. In 2019, the PNM secured victories in most of those 31 LGE seats with average margins of about 750 votes, some even exceeding over 2,000. However, in the 2023 LGE, the NTA managed to narrow some of these margins to under 200, even securing an alderman position in the Diego Martin Corporation.

5. It is worthy to note that in the 2023 LGE the UNC made major inroads in areas such as Tunapuna, and acquired extra seats in Sangre Grande, San Fernando and Arima, primarily because they were buoyed by NTA supporters, just as the NTA received support from UNC backers in our 31 contested areas.

6. The UNC/NTA alliance earned a staggering 60,000 more votes than the PNM in the 2023 LGE, with a 30 per cent voter turnout. When we project this figure considering the anticipated 60 per cent voter turnout in the 2025 general election, it amounts to a victory margin of 120,000 votes. This is the same margin of victory of the People’s Partnership in 2010, which primarily comprised the UNC and the then COP.

7. History's lessons are undeniable. Whenever opposition forces join hands they effectively overcome the PNM. This was evident in 1986 and 2010, and it will manifest again in 2025 due to the UNC/NTA alliance.

Beyond these facts, figures, data and historical context lies an intangible but invaluable element that the UNC/NTA alliance brings to the people of TT: genuine hope.

So ignore the few detractors who have their personal agendas, because they are fearful of what they will lose when a change of government occurs, or that this change will see them become small insignificant fish in a big pond.