Since the inception of COP, there have been varied opinions on whether or not it would succeed in the present political arena in Trinidad and Tobago. Voicing their many thoughts, citizens have praised or lambasted COP, not the least voiced opinion coming from the UNC.
For many months, the UNC has pilloried the COP, while ostensibly extending the hand of friendship; mainly in the hopes of creating a COP/UNC alliance to dethrone the PNM. Sad to say, stabbing in the back while hugging certainly did not make Brutus popular, and neither Panday.
The PNM casually dismissed COP for the most part, but was forced to take note when the COP demonstrated a strong presence at Woodford Square.
The best is yet to come. Infighting in the PNM is rather boldly taking the headlines, something I'd have thought would be ill-advised at this point - after all, the election is just about 33 days away. Oddly enough, all newspapers used red and white for the headlines, in ginormous letters.
On the other hand, the public brawling may serve to do what Dookeran started... create a viable alternative from the Bacchanalian politics (politricks?) we have known in the past. I'm seeing quite a support base for COP from people who are totally fed up with the antics of Pa-trick and Panday.
Certainly the COP comes across as smooth and rational, a planning organisation with clear goals and possible solutions for the many ills we face. On the other hand, the vituperative UNC comes across as a drowning body, clutching at straws to stay afloat. The PNM seeks to survive at all cost, but more than that, I get the feeling that Pa-trick is clearly removing all those close to him who could possibly challenge him for leadership. Not only is he removing stalwarts, he is putting new faces, supposedly for fresh votes. I see this in a different light: in event the PNM does dismally at the polls (more likely each day) the newbies hardly have the political experience or clout to challenge him. It's not about party survival at this point, it's about personal survival.
For many months, the UNC has pilloried the COP, while ostensibly extending the hand of friendship; mainly in the hopes of creating a COP/UNC alliance to dethrone the PNM. Sad to say, stabbing in the back while hugging certainly did not make Brutus popular, and neither Panday.
The PNM casually dismissed COP for the most part, but was forced to take note when the COP demonstrated a strong presence at Woodford Square.
The best is yet to come. Infighting in the PNM is rather boldly taking the headlines, something I'd have thought would be ill-advised at this point - after all, the election is just about 33 days away. Oddly enough, all newspapers used red and white for the headlines, in ginormous letters.
On the other hand, the public brawling may serve to do what Dookeran started... create a viable alternative from the Bacchanalian politics (politricks?) we have known in the past. I'm seeing quite a support base for COP from people who are totally fed up with the antics of Pa-trick and Panday.
Certainly the COP comes across as smooth and rational, a planning organisation with clear goals and possible solutions for the many ills we face. On the other hand, the vituperative UNC comes across as a drowning body, clutching at straws to stay afloat. The PNM seeks to survive at all cost, but more than that, I get the feeling that Pa-trick is clearly removing all those close to him who could possibly challenge him for leadership. Not only is he removing stalwarts, he is putting new faces, supposedly for fresh votes. I see this in a different light: in event the PNM does dismally at the polls (more likely each day) the newbies hardly have the political experience or clout to challenge him. It's not about party survival at this point, it's about personal survival.
For those who see the COP as a group of has-beens and politically dead castoffs from PNM and UNC, remember that most of these were people disillusioned from within the former parties even as members, and despite public expression of their grouses and disillusions, their respective leaders did not heed timely and sound advice. It followed then that the obvious was done; they came together to create an organisation from where they can work to achieve what they see as the 'right' goals. Time will tell whether they work for country or self, but at this point, I see all the right moves.
With the PNM spending like a new Lotto winner, and the UNC in the midst of several corruption scandals (also tarnishing the PNM), I shudder to think what licence may be taken should either party come back as the ruling government. The open message would be that 'no matter what you do, it's okay with us'. And then it would be a free for all dogfight to see who could grab the most.
With the PNM spending like a new Lotto winner, and the UNC in the midst of several corruption scandals (also tarnishing the PNM), I shudder to think what licence may be taken should either party come back as the ruling government. The open message would be that 'no matter what you do, it's okay with us'. And then it would be a free for all dogfight to see who could grab the most.
