The result of the Local Government Elections (LGE), August 14, 2023, paint the situation in the country – “T&T SPLIT AGAIN” (Guardian 15/08/2023); “7/7 TIE” (Express, 15/08/2023); and “PNM, UNC STAND THEIR GROUND” (Newsday, 15/08/2023). Gail Alexander, senior political reporter of the Guardian (15/08/2023 p. 4) reported that “The People’s National Movement and United National Congress each won seven of the 14 regional corporations … Local Governments – a stunning repeat of the 2019 LG election results.”
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said in the media at the night of 14th August, Balisier House, the headquarters of the ruling PNM, that “we are quite happy to not have been defeated or have lost significant ground or any ground at all in the middle of our second term as government…we are now looking forward to the general elections in 2025.”
The UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared victory to the supporters. “In spite of all the PNM has spent, we have done so well. The accommodation with NTA gave the PNM a run for their money.” She said that the UNC has made “tremendous inroads in some PNM areas” at the Chaguanas headquarters.
She said on August 15, 2023, that “the UNC had overperformed. The UNC fought 31 seats less that the PNM, and yet have overperformed far and above the PNM which contested 141 seats, while we contested 110.”
Confidence for Rowley and PNM
Ann Marie Bissessar Davidson in a letter in the press said that “what is the Opposition leader celebrating in a 7-7 results? I humbly suggest that you … retire. forthwith.” She further added that the “opposition gloats about having the popular vote …”
Nigel Seenathsingh in San Fernando said that another defeat would have caused her members “to call for her to step down in opprobrium …”
Dr. Devant Maharaj (PhD.,MSc) said that “the election did come as a further indictment on the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar as a political leader ….The UNC grasping at straws will no doubt project the results… as a sort of perverted victory.”
Ramona Ramdial (Former Minister MP) said that “the Opposition Leader’s emulation in the mediocrity of ties and/or the slimmest of victories does not inspire confidence, jeopardizing the UNC’s possible return to government in 2025…. There is a general call on the ground by the UNC membership for change in its leadership.” (Guardian 21/08/2023 p.13).
The electorate was 1,091, 936 with the total votes cast being 331,300 or 30.34 percent. The 141 electoral districts comprise 14 corporations. The PNM contested all the districts while the UNC had 110 districts. The UNC won the popular vote with “an impressive majority” as reported in the press, received 173,961 compared with the PNM of 130,868, over 43, 093 UNC votes over the PNM. The alliance with the NTA with 15,997 in 31 districts, has 58, 820. The PNM is a minority party in the country.
PNM WILL LOSE IN 2025
Dr. Hamid Ghanny said, “The PNM with a new leader going into 2025 will be a formidable force.” Clearly, the UNC leadership is strong compared to Dr. Rowley’s leadership.
Gail Alexander in a column said that “while both parties repeated their 2019 LG tie, it brought more changes than 2019 and implications for each. Despite the PNM’s seven corporations, the loss of Marabella West, Arima Northeast, in Sangre Grande and the UNC biggest inroads in Tunapuna, has negative general elections implications for MPs respective in San Fernando West (Faris Al-Rawi), Arima (Penny Beckles), Toco (Roger Munroe) and D’Abadie/O’ Meara (Lisa Morris Jullien) so far.
PNM is Dying
Terry Randon, a former PNM Councillor in Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, summarized the defeat of the PNM. He said of Valencia West: “The electoral district has been a PNM stronghold for years. He admitted, however, that the results were like a dagger through his heart. “This morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks. It is sad. I am hurting.” Weeping as he spoke, Rondon called on the PNM … do some serious introspection … The victory for the UNC… was no doubt an indictment against the PNM…’”
Conclusion
One suggests that the view of Dr. Neil Gosine “the Kamla Persad- Bissessar popularity is on the rise… As the UNC grows from strength to strength … and becomes the next Government of Trinidad and Tobago.” (Guardian 13/08/2023 p.17)
Ann Marie Davidson and Seenathsingh (San Fernando), Dr. Devant Maharaj, Ramona Ramdial and others’ comments demonstrated an obsession with the leadership of the UNC. Dr. Hamid Ghany, Gail Alexander and Terry Random and Dr Gosine have other views.