On May 24, 2010, the People's Partnership coalition registered a resounding victory at the polls and took hold of government. The nation was fed up of the many debacles surrounding the ruling People's National Movement. Soon after the elections, a former prime minister questioned whether it was a "change or exchange" because there were basically no new faces representing the people. Two years down the road, what can be said of the ruling party from an honest, personal standpoint? The despondence sensed and felt in early 2010 before the elections is the same despondence being felt today-or even more. If changes do not occur now I can safely predict a low voter turnout in the 2015 general election because the two major political parties are failing miserably at proving that the concerns for our country are of national importance. Presently, personal gains and interest are being attended to more than looking after the needs of T&T. I advocate an immediate formation of political parties with national agendas purported through manifestos. The parties would do well in gaining the confidence of the people as the Congress of the People did by maintaining an active presence and being vocal on current affairs of national concern.
But like the COP they may not get as many votes in the 2015 elections. However, by the 2020 elections they would if they stick to the tasks at hand. The most outstanding of these parties would stand a chance in 2020 at attaining full control of the country and lead us in a way that would undoubtedly be deemed national and not personal. It cannot be denied that had not an alliance been formed in 2010, the parties that form the coalition would not have stood a chance at being victorious as separate entities. I applaud the former Minister of Legal Affairs in forming the United Free Movement. I think that more parties need to be formed but with totally new faces, all of whom must be thinkers and intellectuals with a world-class vision for our country and the know how to turn visions into reality. To get T&T where it should be would take years and therefore a sacrifice that would mature in eight to 13 years is well worth investing in for the sake of the present and future generations. It is time to initiate change.
Anderson Alexis
New Grant