OPINION: The Dangers of a Frustrated New Democratic Party

The views expressed herein are solely those of the writer.

In any democracy, opposition parties play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency. They have a responsibility to provide alternative policies and to constructively challenge the ruling administration.  However, as the NDP becomes increasingly frustrated due to prolonged exposure on the opposition bench, they lost the significance of constructive criticism and has engaged in destructive meanderings. This level of frustration poses a danger to national development as they resort to the dissemination of propaganda and falsehood with the sole purpose of discrediting the government. 

Frustration has led them down a deserted abys as they watch their political ambition thwarted election after election.  As a result, some are in political survival mode while others are on political suicide watch.  They resorted to a campaign of propaganda aimed at deliberately undermining initiatives especially those which will have the greatest overall positive impact on the lives of the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  The Bill Boards along the roadside from the Argyle International Airport tells the story of ‘No holds barred’ and ‘ If I cannot lead I will destroy’.

Instead of being the ‘watch dog’, the eyes of the people, they have become saboteurs.  Instead of calling meetings of the Public Accounts Committee, meetings are held at the Democrat Party House.  Instead of proposing alternative solutions, there is a slew of complaints designed to instill fear in the citizens and a feeling that hope is lost.  This is a matter of manifestations of their own feelings of the loss of political relevance which led to desperate tactics and existential anxiety.
The frustration of the NDP is deepened by pressures from external influences and their economic contributors to remain politically relevant and visible.  The external forces toss the opposition to and fro like a kite on a windy day.  Their latest instruction given from external forces is that the opposition should conduct rallies which mirrors the rallies of the Unity Labour Party. The convergence of internal as well as external pressures forced the NDP to engage in conspiracy theories and false narratives, hoping that it will generate an emotional appeal among the people.  Do you recall “Put the money where the pain is?”.  This is one example of their reliance on stirring emotions. These tactics do not just cause confusion but they are dangerous.

There are global examples of how government initiatives to improve the lives of people have been thwarted by propaganda and falsehood of opposition parties. During the 2015 election in Nigeria, opposition propaganda resulted in loss of public confidence and a set-back to the government’s efforts to curb insurgence.  We do not have to look externally for more examples of the deliberate attempt to sabotage the people. 

Here are a few of the hundreds of attempts by the NDP to thwart the progress of the people;

They held a candle light march purportedly against violence but they admitted that it was to prevent the Taiwanese from assisting us with the construction of the Argyle International Airport; They wrote to the Civil Aviation Authority to stop the opening of Argyle International Airport; Voted against the education revolution in Parliament; Complained that the Parliament was unreasonable when the house was convened until late at night to debate the supplemental estimates for burial relief; Opposed the construction of the Modern Medical and Diagnostic Complex in Georgetown; Objections to the port project; Claims that the government allowed quarry in North Leeward and no family benefitting from it; Their intellectually challenged reasoning on matters of health caused them to advocate for the shutting down/cutting off of the prople of Greggs during the COVID-19 pandemic; Allowed quarry in NL and no family benefitting from the quarry; They call for the legalization of marijuana without regard for international treaties; Legalize marijuana without regard to international treaties; Never had a position of the Trump’s administration about the Cuban Brigade even though the government presented the implications of closing the program; Threats to sell state assets including healthcare for profit making.

While it is important to criticize government policies, if we allow the opposition to go unchecked and do not debunk the falsehoods, the core of democracy will be severely undermined.  Our citizens must be vigilant and wear the cloak of observation, reasoning and discernment.  A fact can never be a lie, evidence will never be fiction. The operatives of the Unity Labour Party must never allow themselves to be tainted by the laziness which pervades the New Democratic Party. Do not take anything for granted because you are convinced that it is nonsensical.  In politics, nothing must be taken for granted.  The opposition is playing a dangerous game but the ULP, in cricketing terms, is “equal to the task”.   The party is in offense mode but never be timid to defend the progress made in order to  create a solid future for generations.

By  Dr Audrey Gittens

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