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by Timothy Caines,

Am a bit concerned about the seeds being planted by the rhetoric of some of the detractors of PM Harris. This notion that the PLP cannot win a majority of seats on SK, absent of untoward engagements. It is dangerous because in the event that it is a close election, as it is likely to be, and the PLP emerge ahead on SK, there will be those who will be convinced of shenanigans, and not accept the result, evidence or not. We remember 1993.

It is dangerous and quite frankly insulting to the voting public. It continues that foolish belief that people can only immovably be this or that. That a new option cannot be considered. That if you have voted PAM, or voted SKNLP, or NRP or CCM previously, that you will always vote that way despite the candidate, the issues, the conditions in the country and the prospects for future. But, we see that thinking personified when people are calling “sheep sheep come home”.

That kind of thinking is one of the things that has crippled the NRP over the last 30 years, seeing only 6.5 years in government in that time. “Whole a Nevis was NRP”. Yes. True in the 1970s. The electorate has changed. People are voting more and more candidates, and self interest. People are looking for what can/will inprove them or their standing. It opens the door for new parties and even independents.

We fail to realize and respond to the successive decline in voter turnout. The youth apathy. Motivate or incentivize this block, and it’s game over.

Those who fail to notice and adjust to this reality do so at their own chagrin and peril. It is why I say some will be paid/repaid in this election with a reality check.