Fully-geared riot police were out and nurses' protests were loud outside the Parliament yesterday.
"Go and tell (Prime Minister Keith) Rowley we want we money ... when all yuh get in power is only the police all yuh is know (to pay arrears)!" yelled one protester.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, face serious when he spotted them, had a short conversation with them. But slogans on protesters T-shirts told a story that may dog the Government. One stated," The spirit of resistance is in the air." Another:"The working class have nothing to lose but their chains."
Nobody there yesterday was speaking about the role the working class has been playing in the rise of the right on either sides of the Atlantic. But in T&T's current conditions, it must be borne in mind.
In the UK, the rise of the right was marked with Thursday's referendum on the European Union in which the triumphant right wing Brexit (British Exit) movement shipped Britain out of the EU after 43 years. Coming mainly from working classers, it's been seen as a backlash to UK elite particularly since London voters largely sought to remain EU-bound.
It may be of special interest in the US since it's also been the US working class and so-called nationalists who've propelled the rise of US presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, fragmenting Republican ranks (as the UK referendum result now threatens to fragment the UK).
Trump's entry saw the rise of essentially WASP right wing–America's move to retake control after eight years of Obama Democratic rule. Trump's praise yesterday for Brexit victory would likely have occurred since UK majority voices on the key referendum issue–immigration–were in chorus with his calls for tighter border control.
The UK referendum profiled Britons concerns on immigration and borders policy. That apart, other repercussions and implications for the UK, internally as well as externally–and the EU, will unfold ahead. Apart from UK Prime Minister Cameron's resignation and developing calls for same from the Labour leader, Scotland now wants a new independence referendum as it's at odds with England's Brexit majority.
For the EU, the depth of the referendum's thunder-strike was seen in its immediate response urging UK to exit ASAP (aka "If You're Going–Go").
British euphoria over tighter immigration policies–after centuries of colonising the world–may subside to the reality of higher prices, lesser markets and job loss projected by analysts. Hours after the vote, US firm, Morgan Stanley announced shift of 2,000 jobs from Britain to Germany and Ireland.
The future will therefore reinforce the difference between a protest vote–which the referendum was, regarding immigration–and decision vote. Ex British PM Tony Blair, via BBC, lamented "insurgent populist groups" gaining popularity though they provide no answers but only "ride the wave of anger."
Fallout for T&T apart from the immediate reaction of the oil price drop, would involve vigilance regarding the shifting UK and EU landscape of trade and other matters plus new policies. Blair's comment also strikes a note with T&T which has experienced the voices lacking answers while riding the "anger wave." And paid for it, post-elections.
Disconnect between Parliament and people–another condition revealed in the referendum, is a well known local feature as has been populist movements (such as the PP) whose waves have been high, but eventually crash.
The main Brexit issue–immigration–would have hinged on Britons' security concerns following increased global terrorist strikes (especially hitting the UK and western Europe), increased migrants following Middle East unrest and global Isis infiltration.
Security, an issue T&T can well identify with, will likely be the main topic on which Government is judged in upcoming Local Government polls, in the same way the Opposition may be judged on alleged corruption.
In the latest thrust, both side meet Wednesday to finalise the Bail Bill though Rowley, protested at Wednesday's PNM meeting, "we have nothing to negotiate with those people..."
Something will have to give since lack of the legislation will hamper T&T's anti-crime fight. A battle no one, least of all the working class, wishes to continue further.