Dear Editor,
Now that the names of candidates have been made public, is the population really paying attention to the manner in which family members are scattered over the various lists? Take for example: 5 grandchildren of one family have postulated themselves on 5 different lists. So, what is the strategy? Was each register designed to recruit persons, who have a sincere interest in politics, or strategically orchestrated to force family members and friends to split up their votes?
The electorate must bear in mind how the votes are calculated. If there is no outright winner, then the votes from all of these little parties will be added to the one that got the most seats. Then what? We are right back to square one!
Do people remember the scenario of 2014, when MP Cornelius de Weever ran with the Democratic Party, while his brother supported the UP? Family members endorsed the former Minister of Health publicly, but split the vote privately for the other sibling. This is exactly what will be playing out; only this time around it is on a much wider scale.
The following questions are for the electorate to answer: How come the brother is not on the UP list this time? Back then, what was the real reason for MP Cornelius de Weever to abandon his own party? Which party benefited from the combined votes of these two candidates? Do we see how politicians and these newcomers are testing the intelligence of the electorate?
Based on this strategy of the century that started in the last election, the 26th of September could never be about the people of this country. It is clear to see that it is riddled with self-interest, greed and elements of dictatorship. Look at how ship-jumpers are consistently rewarded for destroying the future of the country. Pay attention to their positions on the lists. When one ship-jumper was asked which party she is going to support, she remarked that she will go where she is comfortable. Before that, the same party was absolutely no good!
Definitely, politicians with a semblance of integrity, have a very difficult time in performing their duties. If asked, the Prime Minister might be reluctant to admit publicly that the Council of Ministers is constantly threatened by the leader, who was given the Ministry of Justice.
When he cannot get what he wants, he vows to throw down the government. This is what has been happening all the time; so when the population hears this so-called leader speak about integrity and stability, take his words with 10 grains of salt.
When the government fell in 2013, I mentioned in an article that I was disappointed in the Prime Minister, the then Minister of VROMI, when he did not inform the public how the coalition was endlessly intimidated by MPs who supported the union. Today, he is confronted with the same behaviour. MP Frans Richardson should be ashamed of himself.It is like committing treason. This is the same MP who stood up in Parliament and denounced the conduct of the young man in St. Peters, who threatened to hurt the Prime Minister. What is the difference MP?
Politicians must always remember that the longest rope has an end. I will repeat, people need to pay attention to the political development of the country. Shortly after 10-10-10, one politician jumped ship. It wasn’t too long ago that he brought shame to the island’s name when he was caught on camera filling his pockets with money.
The next ship-jumper was MP Frans Richardson. Look at the kind of candidates he is attracting. This is the MP who also stood on the floor of Parliament and made it abundantly clear that he does not want former MP Romain Laville on his list. Truly, birds of a feather flock together!
Come September, the electorate must give a clear mandate and vote out all of these ship-jumpers. There can never be a coalition, otherwise the government will always be unstable. This is why the ministries of Justice, Economic Affairs and VROMI have been a complete failure. Greed and self-interest have hijacked our democracy and the only way to proceed is to devise this strategy of the century!
Joslyn Morton
