Angry voices of the people

While the guessing game for the next general elections goes on, the PNM is busy taking nominations while the Opposition UNC, having done that already, is fast-tracking a set of “pre-budget consultations.”

The one down Moruga on August 15 had a stream of angry, frustrated citizens. Obviously, such an exercise is also in preparation for the election, since it is very likely the next budget will be an “election budget.”

Don’t you think something is upside down here?

The public is yet to know the election date and yet parties are busy preparing, even deciding on candidates. Hide-and-seek democracy. Maybe people sheepishly like the mystery, the political uncertainty: otherwise they would be busy calling for fixed election dates.

UNC senator Wade Mark, using his own intelligence system, placed his bet. Last week, he guessed the election will be held “in November.” He too appears to be a willing “victim of uncertainty,” not calling for a fixed date. Couldn’t we emancipate this shrouded election date?

The game goes on.

About three months ago in Parliament, Dr Rowley, teasing Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar about her political anxieties, said the election will not be “any time soon” (loud laughter). However, at a recent PNM meeting, he advised party members to prepare, keep their lights burning, the “bridegroom is coming,” etc, hinting that an election is in the air.

And of course, the population seems to enjoy the excitement of political uncertainty. Don’t plan any vacation. Just keep the lights on for the bridegroom.

Just to be clear, the Constitution states: “A general election of members of the House of Representatives shall be held at such time within three months after every dissolution of Parliament as the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, shall appoint” (Section 69). Quite a permissive provision.

So, really, we can’t blame the PM for taking constitutional advantage of the political situation. He seems to have better assurances than his predecessor, Patrick Manning, who called early elections and lost.

Fresh from its series of public “anti-crime talks,” the UNC says it is using these “pre-budget consultations” to gather information for the upcoming budget debate.

These consultations are colourfully advertised as “Voices of the People” on YouTube. The one I saw on August 15 had very loud, angry, frustrated voices, whether on high food prices, clogged drains, floods, broken promises, expensive schoolbooks, healthcare deficiencies, unemployment, missing women, neglect of youth, crime, even about “poor, suffering mothers.” The mixed-race speakers down in Moruga may attract political interest.

Assuming Finance Minister Colm Imbert heard such grievances, he has an absorbing challenge to fit them into his budget. Not one of these agitated speakers mentioned the cost of their heartfelt concerns. They left that for the government. In fact, these voices, like those from previous “consultations,” appeared to be a stirring, anti-PNM ground-level political platform, in preparation not only for the budget but especially for the next election, the date ofwhich is still in somebody’s back pocket.

Of course, the PNM has its own campaign style, as shown in the last two local-government elections.

Now one of my surprises at these consultations is that while so many citizens express personal fears and reservations about publicly complaining against the police and government, these “pre-budget consultations” speakers came out bold and brave with their stifled grievances.

The related fact, a big one at that, is that their voices go widely public through YouTube, whether or not local media publish them.

Hear for example, Christopher Jackman, wearing an OWTU jersey: “Don’t trust this government. The government thrives on misleading the country.”

Israel Mohammed, chairman of the Cane Producers Association, bitterly complained about government's “serious neglect of agriculture, no development of rice, coconut, peppers, etc.” Registered nurse Corey Dillon called for World Health Organization-driven “minimum standards for well supervised and accountable healthcare.” Former San Fernando TML school principal Shaheed Allaham said parents are under too much pressure from having to buy expensive and regularly changed schoolbooks.

Chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation Gowrie Roopnarine spoke of the “challenges facing local government” and alleged the “minister lied when he came down here and said he gave $30 million to the Princes Town Regional Corporation. At no time did we ever receive that amount.”

Any response from the minister?

An African fellow with yellow jersey and cap entitled “De original bellman,” gave a story about a “goat and butcher” which really escaped my intelligence. A dougla-looking "44-year-old" fellow loudly complained about the government neglect of farmers. “It is time to rise, stand up and get respect for farmers and farming,” he declared to crowd applause.

Would these voices have electoral value? No doubt, the PNM government is alert to them.

And then there was this grey-haired, middle-aged Indian man who took the Moruga/Tableland audience to dizzying political heights when he declared, “Ms Persad-Bissessar was the best prime minister and politician this country ever had, and we must respect her.” He loyally added: “If PNM win, doh blame Kamla. Put our differences behind our back. Kamla always brings goodies.”

How can Mr Imbert beat that, election or no election?