Dissidents an evolution in politics

THE EDITOR: There has been much talk about dissidents in the aftermath of the UNC elections, referring of course to those who would dare challenge the existing leader and leadership of that party.

The PNM, unlike its counterparts, has evolved to treat its contests with greater maturity.

The hallmark of any developed or advanced political system rests in large part on the ability of the political organisation to weld together a common view out of many. This is why political scientists advocate for a convergence or collaboration of ideas and principles over a convergence of principals and dogma.

At this moment in time it would seem that the UNC is hell-bent on asserting the age-old divine right of kings over its membership. For to be calling for the expulsion of the defeated candidates, to be saying that “if you are not with us you are against us and with the PNM,” confer upon its current leader a god-like, all-knowing status. Ours is therefore not to reason why but it is to do or die.

For the UNC to survive the onslaught of principle, espoused by the actions of Dr Rai Ragbir last Friday, it is going to have to evolve as a political party, that is to say, a more accepting, tolerant, consensus-building modus operandi befitting a more developed political system.

To do otherwise in this day and age, when our population has been exposed to all manner of political ideologies external and hostile to the party dogma, is to render itself irrelevant to the politics.

Long may the dissidents live in their truth and not succumb to tyrannical rule.

SATU-ANN RAMCHARAN

Maraval