#JaNoVote2016: Misleading "Pro-Voting" Preaching

 "A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user" - Theodore Roosevelt

During the election season "pro-voting" media content and conversations become almost unbearable trying to save "nonvoters" and "undecided" from everlasting torture in pit of Hell-ocracy, with everyone reading from the same bible. 

Vote evangelists wants you to put a X beside something, thinks that everybody has to identify with a political party, and they keep skipping the first commandment of a democracy; participation. I was compelled - possibly touched - to write this with hope of relieving many "non voters" and "undecided" of their 
"sins."


I will declare that I have not voted and will not vote until I have seen a candidate or a political party or a candidate that best represents and voices the issues that concerns me the most; which includes making comprehensive constitutional and governance reform a top level priority, environmental protection, equality and closing the income gap, until that appointed time I will withhold exercising this sacred right. 


Many would immediately choose to castigate my choice, by automatically replying "If you don't use your right, you will lose it;" indeed this message intended to support citizen empowerment and participation cannot be used to justify irresponsible use or abuse of a your own rights. As I was I understand it, being a citizen in a democratic society, one has individual rights with mutually linked responsibilities. These rights ensure equality and justice for all regardless of what 'divides' us and the responsibilities are there to prevent us from infringing upon others and own rights.

Right to Vote & Its Responsibilities

If you do decide to cast your ballot then you've decided to engage in a single part of "the 
process" that is linked to generations of hardships, fights, bloodshed, activism and political 

willingness across the world. The right to have a say in who is allowed to govern locally or nationally is an awesome task and is constraint by 2 main responsibilities: become informed 
and vote according to ones certain belief.


Therefore a vote should be respected as it symbolises a conscious decision in which the chosen person or party is indeed the best representation of one's belief at that moment with all issues factored in. Hence, to defy ones conscience and express his beliefs wrongly on a ballot is to behave as a irresponsible citizen and soil the sacredness of the vote. It is then safe deduce that one should not be chastised for being an informed "non-voter" or an "undecided" who has weighed all options and come to a conclusion, those who are to be shamed are the irresponsible voters who are the legions of "die-hearts" and "party loyalist" who are uninformed and their only certain belief is that "mi is born PNP or JLP." 

A Dangerous Farce

Any political messaging that seeks to segregate or render a group of people as second class citizen must not be entertained and rebuked as dangerous to the social fabric of our nation. 

Many declared "nonvoters" and "undecided" receive flack; before, during and after election season because the prevailing belief is that "you have no say" and should not say anything because you don't vote. It is encouraged by our political leaders especially those who could benefit from higher turnouts, when they take to political platforms "looking votes" as disguised advocates of citizen involvement. The undue burden of being told how horrible not voting is, and how your allowing bad people to win.


It is a selfish practise to satisfy a politicians own shortcomings in their own inabilities to inspire 
or motivate. Which is often discussed as an aside to blaming "nonvoters" and "undecideds" for the state of nations governance and democracy. 

"The Process" and Participation

I, like so many other young, politically untethered Jamaicans are aware of the encryption and political warping since independence of what a democratic society truly represents in the 21st Century, then we can easily resist and counter the calls for "undecideds" and "non-voters" to "come off the fence" or "come into the yard," respectively. 

We know that voting is not "the process" but apart of the process that includes: 

• dialogue between state and civil society, 
• advocacy, activism, 
• volunteering, 
• affecting/writing policy, 
• old media/social media interactions, 
• civil action/protest, 
• by keeping yourself informed and the list continues. 

Discussions must begin to focus on how we get people involved not just to lead towards a ballot box but create long-lasting positive changes in their society by speaking up and speaking out against bad governance.


Only voting every 5 years cannot and shouldn't be seen as participation. One doesn't affect govt policy or hold government accountable when its convenient for the government, you have to disrupt and intervene whenever there is need to tell the government: We want Fixed Election Dates! Leave the Goat Islands! or #FireFenton!


I don't vote and I don't feel any pressure to vote, because I know I've a well informed and certain decision to withdraw from voting, nothing separates me from someone voting PNP or JLP. I subscribe to my responsibility as a citizen of democratic state to participate otherwise until I decided or find necessary to vote.

Haiti Elections 2015: Political Intervention, CARICOM Deficiencies & Missing Aid

Map of Haiti/Haitian Flag

It is no secret that elections underway in Haiti have been filled with allegations and reports of wide spread fraud, intimidation, violence, external interference and general corruption; all are components of past and recent Haitian democratic processes.

But with the Nation still recovering from a devastating earthquake that only served to weaken its public institutions, the United States' State Department has taken guidance over the current presidential vote, with CARICOM merely an observer to the proceedings.

Democracy Protests

Even as the State Department overlooks the process there are further reports of misconduct among the political actors only adding to growing unease of the common Haitian and placing democracy further away from them.This has led to on/off clashes between democracy protesters and Haitian security forces before, during and after the voting in August and October. Voting continues in December with still occurring clashes daily.

Haiti Special Coordinator Kenneth Merten 

In his teleconferenced remarks on November 16th about the Haiti elections, Haiti Special Coordinator Kenneth Merten acknowledged "the disagreements" among the political players then stated "the good news is that the elections are taking place" and response to a question asked by the moderator Dr.Theramene(Haitian Americans for Progress) to elaborate on whether or not there is political interference by his government, Merten explained "We will work with whoever or whatever president comes out of this process." Even if 900,000 party monitors received credentials to vote at multiple voting centers.

Haiti Military Coup

His statement falls inline with the subvert quarters of US foreign policy which is protect their interest though by inducing "stability" - the key word - in simple terms, the works of democracy are shelved for a government, any government so that business as usual may carry on.


The flip side to that shortcut approach is that the peoples dissatisfaction and the governments spoon fed power often end up clashing and this creates instability leading to what we saw in Haiti before in the military coup..

POTUS Obama & CARICOM PMs

The United States(US) is apart of a Core Group in Haiti and as stated by Merten, that includes Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, European Union and representatives of the OAS; the US has the major influence and is working accordingly.With the US committing $31 Million to support election activities its not too cynical to say they will expect value for their money.

With Several organizations representing the Haitian Diaspora in the United States have joining to find solutions to the election crisis in Haiti there will hopefully be group that is fighting the best interest of nation and its people.

Why CARICOM's Limited Role?

The group with least influence though and seemingly with the least interest in the Haiti's current critical democratic redevelopment is the 'regional' body: Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Caribbean people, with little to no Caribbean media coverage of the current events.


Not to unfair to the regional body and its people, CARICOM past actions of support for Haiti count as admirable between the banning of illegitimate Latortue government, Aid, observer missions to recent support against Dominicans Republic's policy making Haitian descendants stateless.

Although most of the electoral observer missions were joint operations with the Organization of American States(OAS). CARICOM  has once again limited itself to spectator seat of a overheated election.


The Caribbean media on the other hand seem to have descended past the usual local market driven news content when it comes to Haiti with almost a complete black with most content coming from extra regional sources.I will not question the news editor choices but only urge newsroom rooms regional to encourage regional interest of some sort.


But Haiti has long been wrongly classified as the stepchild of the Caribbean and continues to be seen as economically 'dispensable' and a "burden"  to CARICOM. Although Haiti's relationship with the organisation has not been steady since its admission in 1999 there is no question in my mind that this is a critical juncture for Haitians in their redevelopment.

CARICOM needs t be ready to gain and have greater influence for the strengthening of a regional integration with shared values,similar economies, common culture and geopolitical interest the reasons deepen Haiti-CARICOM relations out weigh disadvantages.


CARICOM's ability to intervene as the regional overseer is hampered not only by financial andresources restraints but by its own unwillingness to create powers to intervene beyond strong worded statements and the cold shoulder:

Hon. Dr.Kenneth Anthony

Hon.Dr.Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia noted in a speech delivered in 2001: "The organization [CARCOM] is not fully seized of the significance of its involvement."   

This calls for reform and restructuring of the regional organization to better suite the current regional integration unions and political-economic area blocs that supports wider influence locally, regionally and internationally.

C.Grant states in his 2007 paper for "Intervention, Border and Maritime Issues in CARICOM" entitled "CARICOM:Non-Intervention & Intervention" that

“While the current diplomatic modus operandi has served the Community reasonably well, there is the need for indicators for intervention to be developed and for a formal institutional mechanism to mediate political conflicts among stakeholders in the political process of the various Caribbean states to replace the reliance on ad hoc interventions such as those utilized in Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Humanitarian Fail: Where are the Missing Aid Funds ?

Haiti 2010 Earthquake Aftermath (NPR)

I end on an extremely sour humanitarian note that concerns Haiti's aid pledge; Its reported that of 15 000 homes promised to be built only 900 have been delivered, US $7.6 billion has been disbursed and little to show for it, lack of accountability leading to corruption surrounding aid, relief and rebuilding expenditure means the many of those suffering from the 2010 quake are still in tents, on the streets, children not attending school, living conditions and hygiene at inhumane levels.


By all means Haiti is still in the midst of a Earthquake and its allies lead by the US and CARICOM are not back to pre-2010 misconceptions, mistreatment and disregard of Haiti-Pearl of the Caribbean and the free Haitian people.

#AllLivesMatter from Paris to Raqqa

Firstly, any acts of violence perpetrated against any person or a people should be offensive to our humanity and the impact not to be diminished. 

We must condemn these horrendous attacks done in the name of religion and stand resolute with our French counterparts especially the youth.

In showing your support you might be one of the millions of people across the world showing solidarity with the people of Paris, after the recent terrorist attacks by using the French flag photo

filter on your social media accounts. The level of social awareness at an all time because of social media and it connectivity that reaches beyond boundaries and borders, allowing us to react, empathize and sympathize simultaneously as events occur in different parts of the world.

With many of us choosing western mainstream media outlets that are often for domestic markets like CNN – we end up not receiving the deeper coverage of stories that accompanies internationally focused media. This is inadequate for the formulation of balanced views and interpretation of world issues, it therefore leads me to submit that the current show of solidarity and outcry has been woefully disproportionate to the impact of terrorism and the so called ‘war on terrorism’ when comparing west and east.

Why I chose a Syrian Flag Filter?

Although the Refugee crisis gains considerable coverage, it still is being referred to as a “migrant crisis” – with the highlights being Europe’s response not the basis of the crisis that has led over 9 Million Syrians to leave their homes from the start of civil war in 2011.If you get pass the surface of mainstream reporting, there are facts and data that gives insight into the true devastation of terrorism and the war against it. 

The Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP), in its Global Terrorism Index 2015 states that, “terrorism remained highly concentrated in just five countries, with Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria accounting for 78% of terror-related deaths in 2014.” 

The town of Raqqa in Syria is the stronghold of Islamic State and has been completely destroyed by the ongoing civil war, IS and bombings by the US, Russia, France and other allied forces. Hospitals and schools are nonexistent at this point.

While the reasons for the filter is to make us feel better about our own inaction or inability to change the world but let’s not put a western cap on our solidarity. 

TPPandTheCaribbean: Trans-Pacific Partnership Facts and How the Caribbean will be affected

Mainstream Messed Up

Before I do delve into 'the need to knows', I must call out any mainstream media that either under-reported this issue or ignored it, but I am especially disappointing in the Jamaican mainstream media as they have left the Jamaican masses especially the disfranchised  members of the society who have no other resources other than the mainstream media be it print or electronic to enlighten them about local and global affairs.

There is no for the media not follow and report on such a established topics such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the other less popular United States(US)-EU(European Union) Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership(TTIP). Even as Pres. Obama maneuvers his Trade Bill  through the US House of Representative and Senate that would see the implementation of the TPP in the US within a period of 6 years, along with other negotiation nations from the Americas include: Mexico, Canada, Peru and Chile. 

TPP Members 

TPP Facts

What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership 

The TPP or TPP12 is an a game changing  Free Trade Agreement that was originally signed by Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore under its former name "Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership" and came into effect in 2006 with a vision of comprehensive trade liberalization being implemented by 2015, but between 2010-2013 the other 8 nations( including Japan, Australia, Malaysia,Vietnam) had joined led by the USA, of course making it 12 nations in total. 

TPP Objectives

The TPP stated objective is  to achieve extensive liberalization of both goods and services, and entails comprehensive coverage of trade in services, investment, government procurement, non-tariff measures, and many other regulatory areas 

including Intellectual Property.

Size and Power  

This Partnership is looked upon as another geopolitical power struggle between the US and China's emerging influence in the Americas and Asia-Pacific hence we must asses its economic size and power to really gain an appreciation of its impact on global trade, but also consider the possibilities of more Asian-Pacific nations joining the TPP.

Although the United State is almost twice the size in population and economy of the other members: Trade among TPP partners amounted to more than $2 trillion in 2012, which can be compared to World Trade Organization (WTO) global trade valued $18.3trillion for that period, TPP trading would equal 11% of all trade.

TPP nations are a 40% share of all United States world trade with the North American Free Trade(Canada,Mexico,USA) and Japan the majority of that trade.

In terms of populations according to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) 2014 World Population Data Sheet, .the total American TPP members which stands at 555 million, more than half the total population of the Americas (971 million), is significantly larger than the Asian population figures which amount to no more than 256.6 million (285 if you add Australia and New Zealand), compared to Asia’s total population of 4.3 billion: almost half of the Asian contingent is accounted for by one member, Japan: Converted to percentage of worlds population would be 12%.

Criticism and Concerns 

Opponents of the Trans-Pacific Partnership says its a secretive, multinational trade agreement that threatens to extend restrictive intellectual property (IP) laws across the globe and rewrite international rules on its enforcement. 

The fear the deal may extend the scope of patents in sectors such a medicine and prevent the distribution of generic drugs.

With the certain deregulation of the Private Sector seen also as negative by pro consumer advocated; there will easier flow of companies and their revenue, leading to possible loss of  employment and outsourcing of local jobs.

Continued currency manipulation by some members;currency manipulation is characterized by persistent current account surpluses, and accumulation of massive quantities of foreign currency reserves.

And with the rigidity of trade and harmonization regulation to ensure equality being proposed, opponents say that smaller economies will have less room to grow and develop.

How TPP will Affect The Caribbean

The  magnitude of the affect that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is still hard to predict as nations still negotiate and hence we await the final agreement, if they are successful in reaching there:

The European Center for International Political Economy(ECIPE) report: "Mega-Regional Trade Agreements: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN, AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES" has provided some insight into how these two Free Trade Agreements would affect the African, Caribbean and Pacific(ACP) countries and provided some recommendations going forward:

read full document here:http://www.ecipe.org/app/uploads/2014/12/OCC22014_.pdf (05/16/15)

For the Caribbean specifically, ECIPE said that the TPP may have a significant impact on trade, with the USA accounting for close to 35% of the Caribbean’s exports while the EU and the rest of the TPP account for 11% and 8% respectively. 

Also that there are a number channels through which mega-regional agreements such as the TPP can impact on ACP countries. The first is the direct effect that mega-regional agreements can have on existing ACP access to EU and USA markets on preferential terms not available to middle and high-income countries. The second channel is the impact that the reduction of non-tariff measures and the harmonization of standards within the TPP can have on either raising or reducing export costs for ACP countries. 

What Must We Do

Some ECIPE recommendations for ACP countries include:

ACP countries continuing to push for increased and more targeted aid for trade, development and should also bolster their domestic systems for receiving and utilizing this assistance these tools should be used to cater for the country’s domestic institutional, political economy, and governance constraints.

Conducting national assessments of how we are positioned in the mega regionals “game”- domestic reform imperatives could best be pursued so that the country is not left too far behind.

Strengthening and widening regional economic integration:  enlarging the regional economic space will provide some attraction to outside investors, particularly if the transactions costs of accessing regional markets can be made less burdensome or, even better, attractive.

Without "high-level" government and policy intervention Caricom and its Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) will be on the receiving end of whatever trade deals, regulatory  changes, environmental and intellectual property rights agreements result from this new arrangement with no way out. 

Next Time we analyze the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership(TTIP).

Two-Tier Local Governance for Jamaica

It was interesting to hear Opposition leader Andrew Holness ratify the position of his party local governance when he said to MP Warmington[opposition whip]: 

“Wehave to support the bill. We can't look like we not supporting localgovernment." Jamaica Gleaner 13/5/2015

It was almost amusing in that instance to see the opposition fumble and tumble in the House of Representatives during the vote on the amendment to theLocal Government Act{link to Bill} being proposed by the government, prior they stood united and defiant against the CCJ bills that had eventually passed with only government MPs support.

This Local Government constitutionamendment is to entrench and empower local government, and sees noextreme shift in policy that would support the eventual automation oflocal authorities, although the 3 accompanying bills that include the 

1. Local Governance Bill; 
2. Local Government (Unified Service and Employment) Bill; 
3. Local Government finance and(Financial Management) Bill {Link: SDC Policy Objectives}

are very minor steps.

Entrenchment is not enough

It must now become the priority of the government not settle with the entrenchment of the current system, that sees rampant nepotism, corruption, lack of trust, little participation of citizens and community groups, with the current system of local government in the past

Constitution of Jamaica 1962

being disbanded on the grounds of corruption and ineffectiveness, it is understandably that we should be hesitant of protecting a unsatisfactory institution.

The move towards reform are derived from reports recommendations on constitutional reform in 90's and over 20 years later have seen the best and worst of our style of Westminster politics hence any recommendations then must be viewed in the context of nation that has a trust deficit between citizen and government that only be described as unfavorable for development and growth.

County Councils and Parish Administrators

A county council is the elected administrative body governing for an county that often are responsible and are compliment by smaller public bodies including city, districts, parishes, etc. The political system we mirrored belonging to the United Kingdom had county councils from 1889, and reformed in 1974 to one-tier-unitary authorities in most areas of the UK, others nations with County councils include: Sweden, Taiwan, Norway and USA [10 states].

3 Counties/14 Parishes of Jamaica

With County Councils established in Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey [with exception of the Portmore Municipality] - as an elected assembly - the parish/district administrators would be either be elected or appointed on the advise of Justices of the Peace/Magistrates/Community workers.

Constitutionally, the county councils would exercise a degree of municipal self-government provided by the Constitution. 

Within the boundaries of the county the smaller Parish administration would exercise local self-government independent of the county councils. Each parish in the county could contribute a number of Council members dependent on size and population leading to lesser number of elected at the local levels.

  

Constitutional reform is matter of when, not if for a young democracy and it must be repeated that the constitution is not a stagnant document but a living scripture that changes constantly and must be continuously updated and reviewed.

Young democracies such as Jamaica have the advantage of learning from the mature democracies that have evolved through trials and errors.

ISIS Attack Caused by Inaction in Syria

 

As the Al Qaeda linked terrorism organization ISIS makes their presents known across the middle east especially in the nations of Syria, Iraq and Libya – all three having varying degrees of intervention from the International community led by the United States of America whether from the front through an Invasion based on a hubris in case of Iraq or from behind as not to directly be involved with the disposing of an ally who had fallen from grace in Libya.

With the Syrian civil war being the worst and longest of any of the Middle East uprising mainly due to the influence of the jihadist belonging to those familiar terror groups we associate with the word terrorism, with all the attention that the ongoing crisis in Syria had received before; with the whole world pushing for an international consensus to go into Syria with as much force as the allied nations did in Libya to force President Bashar al-Assad out of power. 

Unfortunately, Jamaica’s new best friends in the form of Russia and China decided to block any action that the UN security council would have taken to earlier in the conflict and possibly would have found that ISIS growing and taken decisive action.

 Geo-politics and capitalism have been the grim reaper for over 150, 000 lives in Syria thus far, will Western and Eastern powers take responsibility for their inhumane blunder that will now threaten their precious Middle East oil fields that fuel their economies – now that the US has resend troops to Iraq after a full withdrawal following a decade of war. We could applaud Syria’s denuclearization but the Olympus-like hypocrisy hangs too low.

ISIS is now the main threat and International community, including Russia is beginning to throw everything but the kitchens sink at Iraq, Syria and ISIS strongholds in neighbouring territories be it military or diplomatic help – but the truth is the real Syrian crisis will remain intact and bloody.

From The Editor: Angrily Ever After

Angrily Ever After

The Jamaica Labour Party & Eternal Rejection Hereafter

The USA gears up for a Political Showdown over the looming "Fiscal Cliff" and "Tax vs. Entitlements" match-ups, both major political parties in the U.S. have made their intentions clear that compromise - would - be the absolute way forward but after an Electoral Defeat described as one for the Decades with the "Tide of the Times" against the Grand Old Party, can the Republicans get their act together without reeking of "Political-Revenge".  

The Jamaican Politico-Sphere has heated up too - not matching that of the U.S. YET - with the "Primary Political Players" trading blows and huffs over statements and actions. The first move was that of the Opposition leader, Andrew Holness at his Jamaica Labour Party's (delegates only) conference; going off on an angry shouting rant, repeatedly announcing that "They [Peoples National Party] must Go, Tired of Them" whether he meant they should emit office or completely remove all trace of their existence - considering his Teenage Styled Tantrum (who knows).  Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, recently made the connection and contrast between she and her Predecessors, after mocking Andrew’s less than subtle performance then saying “If it was ever a Portia, do that, lord have mercy, the thing yuh woulda a here” and it’s an agreeable truth.

 

Before she made her reply to Holness’s rant, just days before the issue of Government Owned Vehicles came up after the reporting that the Administration recently purchased 16 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from Toyota Jamaica for Cabinet ministers. The JLP was happy to be given such a chance to tie down the admin with fiscal irresponsibility but truth be told before leaving office the former administration sold 30 Government Issued vehicles to officials at all levels at rock bottom prices, so “Glass Houses” hold merit on this account.

Walking on the Sands of Time

We can ideologically compare and match the Republican Party and Jamaica Labour Party, both fiscal conservative with the JLP being more centre-right which probably means they are on the same path as other Conservative Parties to becoming extinct because of the shifting of the ground below their “Right-Wing” feet due to mere fact that the world we live in is increasingly becoming Socially and Economically liberal/Socialist and rejecting the modus operandi of the “Capitalist Structure” which has stifled the middle class and poor for centuries.

The Jamaican society today is confronting its reality of Inequity and Stagnation among the 99% with the constant fear of another recession and irreversible economic conditions meaning less – well-paying jobs and worsening inflation by grabbing Government at the throat; demanding accountability and action from the representatives with Civil Society and Neutral voices trying to fill the Noise Making gap that the population in general have no time to fill themselves as we are a “Hustling” set of people, organized action for solutions that don’t directly affect us (until they actually do) is not our immediate problem.

The last Election in December 2011 was as much a prosecution of the Bruce Golding led Fumble on the Dudus and Tivoli Incursion matters as it was a “Rejection” of the Hard line Conservative Fiscal Management Plan or “bitter medicine” the JLP had in mind for Jamaicans. The central message the JLP failed to communicate during the campaign cycle was that they were the bringers of “Fiscal Responsibility with the purpose of enriching People’s lives as well as the Economy” but unfortunately and thankfully they were out messaged by a “People Power” touting PNP – who never ensured “Fiscal Responsibility” just People centred Government.

The Times have rusted the machine of the JLP – especially the members themselves; looking at you Mike Henry – No longer can they be the party of “Big Man” in return expecting the “Big Man” to buy the “Little People’s” vote.

Resentment Anonymous or Eternal Rejection

We must recommend that the Jamaica Labour Party hierarchy seek the help of “Resentment Anonymous” and we call on the Jamaicans who have the country at heart that they join in this call, we need both sides of Parliament to function at maximum efficiency for any work to be done, stepping on the Gas and Breaks at the same time will get us nowhere.

It’s understandable the political gears are still turning and must be for that’s the nature of politics but once a Political leader decides to publicly announce a 4 year campaign to regain power then the wrench is thrown in, whoever wins the next election and others after the ultimate winners or loser are the Jamaican people with this logic in hand; the public is disappointed in the “youth-phoric” Andrew Holness for sticking to Old Political ways – the promise they held in him has been broken: Where is the Post-Independence Change?

The Jamaican Liberal Whistle expects that the Jamaica Labour Party will receive the “Anti-vote” in 2 more General and Local Government elections this means whether or the economy goes south or remains as is, the possibility of a Jamaica Labour Party with the intentions it has now will probably lose by landslides barring any major shifts in the Peoples National Party line up.

This “Rejection” must be taken seriously as they face a dark a future if a major Party is unelectable by even the lowest standard.