Trevon Pollard
Thursday, August 7, 2014
The definition for the word politician as shown in the Oxford Dictionary is; "A person who is professionally involved in politics, specifically as a holder of an elected office." If we further take a look at the word politics as noted in the Oxford, it describes; "the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power." Fortunately or unfortunately for us, it is election season around the Leeward Islands, and we are bombarded by the expressions of concerns, criticism and complaints about decisions and the conduct of the government in power, whose policies are affecting the country and our people. However, lucidly through our own fault, we are the people who elected them to power.
The involvement of youth in the general election of any country is important, because the governance of the country would not only play a major role in the molding of this all to important demographic, and the facilitation of their individual and collective growth, but also the decisions made by the administration would either be beneficial or detrimental. Our young people would be reaping the benefits or wallowing in the misfortunes from past governmental contributions
To quote Mr. Jeevan Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of MNI Alive Media; "The youth vote is a very powerful and game changing variable in any modern election, and irrefutable evidence of this is seen as President Barack Obama used it twice to great effect during his bid for office. The coalition government in the United Kingdom may have cocked it up with their decision on tuition fees. We also saw in the just concluded Antigua election how (ABLP) Antigua Labour Party rode to power with mass appeal to young voters. Now why is this? Young people –well most of them always have an eye on the future. After leaving school they want to know about educational opportunities, availability of quality jobs, leisure of acquiring property, and also pathways towards entrepreneurship if so inclined. Those are but a mere section of their vast interests. Politicians prior to campaigning for office play to these concerns and tilt their rhetoric to entice young voters. It is up to young people to think critically of how much has truly been delivered for them in times past, and going forward do they seek more promises? Do they abstain from voting, or do they place their faith in that politician who does not offer fluffy rhetorical garb, but real workable solutions to their main concerns. The power of youth vote, young people should never allow to be exploited by selfish politicians." Jeevan Robinson
As Caribbean people we need to understand that an expensive campaign or enormous promises do not aid in the determination of real good governance. Before pledging your allegiance to any party or candidates, as members of the young electorate, we must first take a look at these individuals’ fields of expertise and applicable competencies. Review these parties and candidates’ manifestos, pay keen emphasis on the promises, or as we say in colloquial terms, "wha dem a do fu ah we?"
Look at the practicality of these promises because the productive capacity of any party is solely dependent on what they know and experience. On some manifestos, parties express outlandish promises, many of which they are incapable of executing, but use them any way as ploys to attract voters. At election time the penchant for kindness of the courting politician rises and different strategies are used to secure votes.
However, be mindful that money today is just simply that, "money today" and the person who receives compensation for his or her vote would basically be the main short term benefactor. We have seen a master campaign strategy by independent candidate Claude Gerald on the night of Saturday19th July, in which he had a party distributing free food and beers. What a way to gain political mileage. The late John Osborne stated a few years ago "Montserratians belly long and them memory short."
If the correct government is elected into office, however, and delivers quality governance and implements policies and develop strategies and drafts appropriate legislations, the citizens of this country would all benefit positively.
In a recent interview with The Premier Hon. Reuben T Meade, he stated that the youths are the future of the country and therefore they should participate in deciding who should lead them on their path to the development of the country. He added that The Movement for Change & Prosperity (MCAP), over their tenure, have worked with the youth sector through the MDC through small business development and training, and the hype program which has been linked with training youths and equipping them with the necessary skills and job experience. Mr. Meade said that (MCAP) has a major interest in the youths of this country and over their tenure in office has held numerous consultation meetings with them. He also noted that under his administration the youths have been excelling in sports, leadership and academics. According to the Premier, MCAP’s vision for Montserrat is to produce quality and professional athletes for instance.
In a document submitted by the Hon. Donaldson Romeo, the leader of Peoples Democratic Movement ( PDM) , we sense the passion for representation. He said; "We all know the saying 'the youth are our future'. So far the youth, like many other groups are hardly taken seriously. I am of the opinion that young people are the ones who are going to have to insist that this serious neglect comes to an end. Clearly, they need to influence the agenda and policies presented by parties and candidates, and then vote for those who they are convinced will involve them in the planning and decision making that will affect their demographic."
In the event that the Montserratian youth learn to effectively exercise their vote, the past is prologue. The real work begins after Election Day. In order for their vote to be effective, beginning the day after elections, the youth will need to continuously lobby both the ruling Government and the Opposition. In other words, if necessary, they will need to become increasingly insistent when voicing their concerns towards those in power until they are listened to, respected and involved to the point where they become an influence to what is finally implemented on their behalf.
"Involving people works. That is why the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) insists on town hall meetings which give voters a voice and a chance to influence our plans and policies." Says Don Romeo of the PDM. Mr. Romeo further posited that, as leader, he will insist on involving the youth in decision making and in negotiations on their behalf especially since it has worked time and time again in his negotiations with DFID over the past 19 years. The youth are our own flesh and blood and PDM will not only respect and involve them, but expect and encourage them to challenge and lobby us continually.
Election season now makes it all the more apparent to us how important we are as a young electorate. However, we need to demand respect, and continuous support for our initiatives throughout any party's tenure in government. Let us therefore extend the challenge ourselves that our involvement in this general election would not only inspire the politicians to contribute positively to our communal dialogue, but also as a constant reminder to consider the youth in all aspects of the decision making process.
