I recently saw a post on social media which caused me to ponder the choices that will be offered in the 2015 general election and, to what extent are the decision makers in political parties considering the voters.It is quite apparent there are those who are already jockeying for candidacy.Traditionally voters used symbolism and what it represented, to decide who would be their candidate of choice without necessarily considering the candidate.
Unfortunately, during that era minimal effort was made to sway voters, as the die-hard supporters needed little persuasion.However, in today's world people are paying greater attention as there are increasing avenues for public discourses, dissemination of rhetoric, spin via blogs, social media, added radio talk shows etc.Citizens are gaining greater awareness and people's interest in governance is increasing due to education, information and exposure to First World-types of operation among other things.
This, as expected, would affect changes in behaviour, expectations, general conversation as (demographical, social and lifestyle) segments reconfigure.Are decision makers for political parties aware of these changes?Can we therefore assume there is an expansion of the undecided and independent-thinkers as the traditionalist numbers decline?
I am therefore attempting to make a case for the newer, ever-evolving pool of voters, who want to be enthralled by the savvy use of technology, intelligent messaging among other things, in the 2015 election. We link the candidate's image, the party's image and the party's ideologies when choosing who or what we support.
Please, do the research and stop assuming these growing undecided and independent segments will be swayed by the usual vacuous politicking, using giveaways and base attempts of character attacks etc. Understand the who, what, where, how and why in your planning for 2015.
Chezette Baillie,
Chaguanas East constituent