Rowley's track record over the past four plus years has been an interesting one. He successfully implemented strategies aimed at causing brouhaha.Probably the first was for the PNM to dig up potential "dirt" on government ministers and find creative ways of introducing "lies, half truths and innuendoes" in the parliamentary debates when ministers were contributing. It is rather ironic that he is upset when Vernella Alleyne-Toppin takes a turn on him in the Parliament.
The PNM has set up organisations to investigate via the Internet, underworld links connected to ministers. Whether supporters of the PP have professional qualifications (masters, doctorates etc) or any kind of accredited/accepted qualifications. The PNM's modus operandi was to denigrate all professional accomplishments in full force.
Full credit must also be given to Rowley for automatically responding in a contrary manner to government's views ie, if the Government says that the sky is blue, the Opposition must respond that the sky has long been considered to be black. The Opposition is in Parliament to oppose, is the mind-set.
Perhaps the motto of Rowley and his PNM is to never stand up for unity of creed and race. Had he done so in his own party, it may have resulted in his own political demise. On the national landscape it appeared that he was bent on promoting racial divisiveness among the people.
How else does one explain his silence on the Calcutta Ship statement in Tobago and absolutely no sanction imposed upon Hilton Sandy who uttered the divisive words? Rowley is yet to apologise to the nation for alleging that the former AG Anand Ramlogan made racist remarks to some in the New York Mission when in truth and in fact Ramlogan never attended New York.
Neither Rowley nor the PNM have ever taken responsibility for their previous mistakes. Corruption, abuse of power, lies, discrimination, you name it, but never an apology or a single iota of remorse coming from the PNM benches.
PNM practices of race discrimination and entitlement that dominated their government gave rise to a political system that excluded certain religions and minority groups. Martin Luther King referred to this type of situation as "sincere ignorance."
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance," said King. Luckily, the PP Government under Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar took direct action to reform politics and to achieve a truly democratic way of life. For the first time in T&T, every creed and race feel equality of participation. They have found an equal place.
The PP has broken numerous barriers in the delivery of services to the people of T&T. Any part of the country that you travel to, you are bound to be greeted by people who will speak of progress in their area that they never had before.
The PNM's response has consistently been that development is only taking place south of the Caroni. Only the "sincerely ignorant" would feel that the PP's Unity had brought economic benefits to the south but disadvantage to their own community. The East-West Corridor has benefitted significantly in terms of infrastructure under the PP Government. The population is well aware of these improvements and thanks the Government.
When we look at international news across the world, we see that women are on lower incomes than men, are often deprived of human, legal and political rights and are subject to various forms of cultural oppression. Children are embattled with diseases. Mrs Persad-Bissessar has set the bar high for women in T&T. Not only does she lead by example but she is also creating opportunities for women to advance themselves in every walk of life. The Children Life Support Fund has done miracles for many of our nation's severely sick kids.
Since the latter part of 2014 and earlier this year, all polls have shown that the PM's popularity is off the charts and her leadership style is far superior to her challengers. In light of the tremendous work done by her and the PP Government, the results of these polls come as no surprise. Analysts in support of the PNM have said that candidates for prime minister do not win elections. It is the party. They are partially correct.
Where they have gone wrong in their analysis of the upcoming election is that they fail to appreciate that Keith Rowley, the PNM's contender for prime minister, is politically unattractive given his track record. Rowley's own supporters feel a deep void with the rejection of Penelope Beckles, Amery Browne and others as constituency candidates.
Rowley and the "sincerely ignorant" within the PNM rank and file are naive to think that a face-change to the party will inject voters with some kind of amnesia. They will not forget the past ills and track record of the PNM.
On the other hand, the People's Partnership must be wary of keeping the same old faces in the upcoming elections. Some or many may have to go depending on political perception and or performance. Certainly, voters must be able to easily discern a potential Cabinet from the prospective constituency candidates.