Contributing writer Dickson Igwe
A series of stories looks at the Virgin Islands political scene as midterm approaches: What is the political pulse of the country approximately two and a half years before another general election season begins? This narrative assesses the Virgin Islands voter and party system.
Freedom and democracy are alive and well in the Virgin Islands. That fact is clearly evidenced by an electorate that is quick to pull the trigger on any government it feels is not meeting the mark.
To date, both political parties have tasted the anger and swift justice of the Virgin Islands voter.
The Virgin Islands voter is focused on his or her own bottom line. It is the same the world over. And any government that does not meet the, ‘’WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME TEST,’’ is quickly disliked and discarded.
Allusions to patriotism and national unity appear low on the list of factors when deciding who gets that mighty vote; hence the paradigm of the WHITE CASH FILLED ENVELOPE.
The Virgin Islands clearly possesses an electorate made up of SWING VOTERS: a majority of voters who will not blindly vote for any one party or another based on allegiance and loyalty.
New Premier Dr Orlando Smith
Although, the opposition possesses a core of loyal supporters who will vote for the party come what may. But that may be simply because it has been in power for much longer than the present incumbents.
So it has been able to do more for Joe Tax payer in terms of Joe’s immediate needs: that retaining wall and paved road to the front door means a lot to West Indians. That is not going to change.
In other words, the opposition party has a strong base of support, and this is why after a dismal 4 years ending in electoral defeat in November 2011, there are still 4 members in the House who should very comfortably see re-election in 2015, including an aging leader, should he decide to run.
On the other side of the spectrum, the ruling party has more national appeal: but that is a very fragile affair indeed, and can shatter, at the drop of a hat.
So what is the temperature on the political high street this April 2013? It is this one. A great number of the people of the Virgin Islands, for whatever reason, are discontented.
There is a high degree of malcontent, for whatever reason. And that malcontent is clearly being fed by elements within the national media. Do bear in mind that voter discontent at this milestone along the road to 2015 is nothing unusual: in fact it is very normal. A government’s popularity is usually very high after an election. After that it is all downhill.
But why does it appear that some people are so upset? Well, this Political Observer can only attempt to ascertain. And he hopes both political parties will read the TEA LEAVES.
It appears one side in the political equation may be allowing the other side to paint it into a corner. How? Well, for example, by preaching a divisive politics, and allowing the voter, especially the native Virgin Islander, believe that the ruling party does not care about locals, while catering more to the interests of expatriates.
Opposition Leader Ralph O’Neil. Photo courtesy www.caribbeanislandsrealty.com
That is clearly a false notion. However, in politics, perception is everything. And this song and dance of expatriate versus, Belonger, versus Virgin Islander, is being kept alive by certain elements in the national press for clear political gain.
In another political vein, Yours Truly remains a firm believer that at this stage in the Virgin Islands political and constitutional narrative that it is near impossible to break the TWO PARTY SYSTEM of government.
Now one vociferous Virgin Islands Commentator and radio Show Host made allusions to the ROTTEN PARTY SYSTEM on online media of April 11, 2013. Whether the system is rotten or not, that is a matter of opinion. However, and historically, once a two party system is set in place, it is very difficult to change that dynamic.
And in that assertion, the US and British political party models are well worth studying. Independent candidates in the Virgin Islands face climbing up a daunting mountain if they wish to achieve political power and office in an entrenched party system.
Then any NEW POLITICAL PARTY, if there is any hope of it achieving power, will have to organize immediately, and field strong candidates in all districts. It will also have to field strong candidates for all the At Large Seats in the House.
That is a very tall order indeed for a tiny country, especially when one considers that at the last election, a third party barely got off the ground before bickering and backbiting began within its walls.
Dickson Igwe is an education official in the Virgin Islands. He is also a national sea safety instructor. He writes a national column across media and has authored a story book on the Caribbean: ‘The Adventures of a West Indian Villager’. Dickson is focused on economics articles, and he believes economics holds the answer to the full economic and social development of the Caribbean. He is of both West African and Caribbean heritage. Dickson is married with one son.
