Political analyst Maukesh Basdeo believes that at this point voters are focused more on the UNC and PP candidates than their campaign strategy.
He said as the party celebrated its fifth anniversary, Persad-Bissessar should consider adding fresh faces to her 2015 slate if she wanted to retain power.
“It will give these parties a certain edge. A lot of discussion has been held in the public domain that the Prime Minister should have a new slate of candidates, which will see possible new faces,” he said.
Basdeo said in the PNM only political leader Dr Keith Rowley, Terrence Deyalsingh, Marlene McDonald and Colm Imbert had been returned as candidates for the 2015 polls.
He said Rowley had recognised the need to present new faces and a new team.
“I think the other parties will have to recognise that, because if you have a stock of MPs who have been there for five years and performing, the population may want to see fresh faces. I think what we may see with the other parties, we may see fresh faces in this election,” Basdeo added.
UNC needs succession planning
Basdeo said there was need for a level of succession planning in the UNC as well, since at this point no one had emerged as a possible leader for the party.
Basdeo said should Persad-Bissessar maintain the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill two-term provision for prime ministers, the question of the paty’s leadership would have to go to the membership to decide since there was no automatic successor.
There are three deputy political leaders—Dr Roodal Moonilal, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan and Marlene Coudray. Basdeo said if for any reason a political leader vacancy arose there would have to be an election.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Vasant Bharath is confident today’s celebrations will not be adversely affected by the Emailgate fiasco and turmoil within the Integrity Commission.
Bharath, who is co-ordinating the celebrations, said in a telephone interview that they were expecting a large gathering at Constantine Park, Macoya, today.
He said he did not expect anything to dampen today’s celebrations, which begin at 3 pm.
PM has edge despite Emailgate scandal
The political analyst said Persad-Bissessar still had a political edge even though the PP was embroiled in controversy with Emailgate and the Integrity Commission.
“One thing that the PM has as an edge are the letters from the US Justice Department and Google that tell her that the e-mails are fake, and the controversy with the IC is another thing. I think what is going to happen here is convincing the voters.
There is a set base of voters for both political parties. It is how they activate it,” he said.
Basdeo said the population was more confused over the Emailgate issue than before.