An ongoing opinion poll being conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) finds growing disfavour towards Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar to continue her hold on the leadership of the opposition United National Congress (UNC). Supporters of the party as well as supporters of other parties feel the UNC leader should bow out of leadership politics to make way for another generation. The population at large (84% of 1280 interviewed some three weeks ago) says the UNC cannot win another election in its present formation. Party supporters say that the former Prime Minister has served her time well rating her among the best Prime Ministers. But party supporters it is time to step aside and allow the party to choose a successor to begin the UNC’s rehabilitation process in preparation for the local government elections due in 2022.Kamla, as she is fondly called, is facing strong opposition among party supporters for continuation in her capacity as leader. Many say she was an excellent PM but that she can’t take the party any further and that she should begin the process of transition to new leadership. Many are disappointed and frustrated with the party’s leadership executive having felt that the 2020 election presented a golden opportunity for the UNC to regain government.
According to the latest findings of the poll thru last Friday, Kamla’s support is falling making her vulnerable to a serious challenge. Many say they want new leadership identifying some names. She faces an uphill task to get the kind of massive support she received in the last two leadership battles. Activists and many who would like for Kamla to remain as leader advise that she should spend time re-engaging members on the ground. Many said they would not vote unless there are credible faces seeking executive positions. With Covid providing serious challenges, handicapping engagement, Kamla’s supporters suggest that any internal party election be delayed till next year. This, they felt, would give Kamla enough time, and hopefully development of a Covid vaccine, to visit the ground to get a first hand experience of her standing with activists on the question of leadership while re-engaging ordinary supporters.