Like Guyanese, Trinidadian voters also want change

Jan 13, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Guyanese are not the only voters who are calling for political reform in the opposition and requesting a change in leadership; voters in Trinidad also aspire for political change in the opposition.
According to the findings of an opinion survey conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association in Trinidad last month, voters are disenchanted with the leadership of both the ruling and opposition parties. Supporters of the two Indian-based opposition parties, UNCA and COP, feel their respective leaders, Basdeo Panday and Winston Dookeran, should retire from politics to make way for a credible leader who can give the opposition a fighting chance at the next election.
The supporters of the opposition parties say that unless there is a united opposition under a new, credible leader, the opposition has no chance of winning an election. In fact, the incumbent PNM under Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s leadership will retain office with a larger majority if a snap election is called. Panday and Dookeran are viewed as obstacles to political change in T&T, and disgruntled supporters of the ruling party say they will not support either one as leader. They prefer Manning over Panday or Dookeran as PM. Disgruntled PNM supporters want a united political outfit of all opposition forces led by a vibrant, dynamic individual who can pursue real change and bring the racially divided country together.
The latest findings are based on interviews systematically conducted with 472 respondents reflecting the demographic composition of the population. The poll had a 5% margin of error. It was conducted by Vishnu Bisram.
The findings of the survey show growing disillusionment with the ruling PNM. Asked if they approve of the way the Government is running the country, only 19% said yes, with 70% saying no and 11% offering no response. Voters complain primarily about rising crime, poor handling of the economy, flooding, and squandering of energy income. But when asked if they think the opposition can defeat the PNM in the coming Local Government elections, 81% said no, with only 11% saying yes. The PNM is projected to retain the Local Government seats it currently holds, and wrest seats from the UNC strongholds unless there is serious change in the party and unity with other opposition parties.
Asked if they think Panday should step aside as leader of the opposition and prepare the party for leadership succession, 73% (of UNC supporters) said yes and 18% said no, with 9% offering no response.
Asked if they support unity among opposition forces, 84% (of all opposition supporters) approve, with 12% saying no. This is quite different from Guyana, where opinions indicate that the opposition forces and their supporters are deeply divided.
Vishnu Bisram

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