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Give new Government a chance, but…

Aug 17, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
A near majority of respondents to a survey I conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association feel the APNU/AFC coalition government should be given a chance to rule although many are not pleased with several of its undertakings urging a review of some of its policy announcements. Many express the view that three months of governance is not sufficient time to evaluate the performance of the new government. They feel the population should wait a full year (under the coalition’s own budget) to make an objective pronouncement of its performance. Many also say the new government is expected to make errors and faux pas as “it feels its way governing” and that it will learn from its mistakes and take corrective measures to address them. But they stress that the government should heed public opinion on its policies and programs.
The survey, conducted by myself over the last week, interviewed 430 voters (41% Indians, 31% Africans, 18% Mixed, 9% Amerindians, and 1% other ethnic groups) to reflect the demographic composition of the population.
Asked if they approve of the change in government (when it was sworn in), every coalition supporter and some 10% of PPP supporters (who voted for the PPP) said “yes” feeling “a change” was necessary “to shake up” the party leadership because of the “arrogant behavior” of some among its leadership. A majority (53%) also said at that time they felt that the newly sworn in government should be given a chance to govern, having declared the winner by Gecom, even though virtually everyone who voted PPP was convinced “the election was rigged”. However, since its ascension to office, there has been a negative change in attitude towards the government by PPP supporters who had felt the coalition should be given a chance to rule. The change in attitude is primarily a result of the coalition’s policies that are considered discriminatory.
There is also a change in attitude towards the coalition government by some half of AFC supporters (largely by Indians, Amerindians, and Mixed) who voted for the coalition; most among the business community, in particular, are opposed to several of the policies (firing of state employees, planned withdrawal of government deposits in commercial banks, re-introduction of what smells like national service, return to rice flour, spike in crime, cancellation of state contracts,  etc.) of the new regime saying it does not augur well for the future of the country likening it to the earlier period of PNC governance. Traditional PNC supporters remain committed to the government.
A large majority of respondents (67%) feel the coalition government should pay outstanding debts (incurred under the previous regime) to business contractors like BK Tiwari and others that will help enhance circulation of money and boost the economy that is in a downward trend. People fear a contracting economy and loss of jobs as a result of government’s policies on cancellation of contracts and reluctance to pay state debts.
Queried whether they approve of the spate of firing (retrenching) of or laying off government employees since the coalition took office, only 27% said yes with 56% saying no and the other 17% not offering an opinion. Some 55% feel people are being removed from their state employment on account of ethnicity and party affiliation with 31% (all coalition supporters) saying those who were removed from their government job are/were PPP party hawks who “deserve to get knock off”.
The poll also queried people on a number of other issues the findings of which will be released in a subsequent report.
Vishnu Bisram

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