Don’t get too cocky, Mr PM

THE EDITOR: While the PNM is celebrating a victory at the polls (and rightly so) I don’t see it as a victory for there was no significant trend in traditional voting for the PNM especially in what is deemed to be UNC strongholds, however, there was a significant drop in the number of people who voted for the UNC.

This is just my humble opinion and everyone is free to disagree with me. The results of this election was not a victory for the PNM, but clearly it is a message to Mr Panday telling him that his time in the sun is over, his sun has set and it’s time for him to step down and ride into the sunset and enjoy the rest of his life with his family. With this being the lowest voter turnout in the Local Government Elections, it is also a clear message to Mr Manning. Given there was no significant increase in votes for the PNM, means there is a lot of disenchantment among your own supporters in terms of the government’s performance in handling crime and other matters that are critical to their everyday life. Those supporters in all good conscience preferred to withhold their votes for by not doing so would have been a vote of confidence in the PNM.

I hold firm in my belief that this was not a victory for the PNM, for it was because of the loss of confidence in the leadership resulting in low voter turn out on behalf of the UNC was the reason for the PNM gaining control of two more corporations than they did in 1999. Mr Manning will be well advised not to get too cocky or arrogant and to see this for exactly what it is, a loss of confidence in the UNC leadership and not a vote of confidence in the PNM or there could very well be a repeat of 1986 and 1995.

The fact is, Trinidad and Tobago is neither PNM nor UNC country, for the peaceful and loving people of Trinidad and Tobago are much wiser than the people of yesteryear, and have no fear of voices being heard in their casted votes, which is very admirable and sets a high standard for other countries plagued by election day violence. When it matters most, the people have learnt to transcend the barriers of race and party affiliation, and vote the political party they believe will serve the country best. So pardon me for reserving my congratulations to the PNM.

ANGELA NELSON
North Carolina
USA