OpEd by Audley Astwood
PDM Chairman Ezra Taylor recently urged the public to join him in a 'rescue mission'. However, the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) must first rescue itself from its deep-seated issues.
PDM supporters expected a complete shakeup after a sweeping defeat at the last polls. Instead, PDM has laid out a slate of candidates as uninspiring as watching paint dry. At a recent press conference, the party’s leader, Edwin Astwood, revealed a sense of relief, stating he felt a great burden being lifted off his chest as he thanked George Lightbourne and Karen Forbes for their willingness to stand as candidates for Over Back and South Caicos.
This admission was telling, as it underscored the party's struggle to attract candidates willing to vie for these seats, further highlighting the leadership’s challenges in invigorating its lineup.
Similarly, even Delroy Williams admitted that he did not want to return to politics but did so only because his mother convinced him to run again. This revelation, shared publicly, sends a mixed message to the voters of Wheeland. It raises questions about the motivation and dedication of their candidates, which can hardly inspire the electorate to head to the polls with enthusiasm.
Why is there a reluctance to infuse more new blood into their lineup? The 2021 election was a crushing defeat. It was not just a clarion call for change. It was an unmistakable message from the electorate. Yet, PDM played the same old tune on a broken record. Where's the energy, the excitement, and the spark that could reinvigorate their supporters?
Consider PDM supporters’ mood: they were demanding a renewed PDM; they wanted PDM candidates who could take them in a new direction. So, why offer them even less appetising leftovers than the cold, wet, soggy French fries in my fridge? Is it fear of change, or just old habits dying hard? Either way, for PDM, it’s a strategy that's as effective as using an umbrella in a category 5 hurricane.
The consequences of such choices are not just disappointing; they are dire. Without the spark to engage and energise, PDM risks further alienating its existing supporters and failing to capture the interest of new voters. Can we be surprised if support for PDM is as depleted as a well in a drought by the next election?
What does it take for PDM to see the writing on the wall finally? Even Stevie Wonder can see that it's not rocket science. Their supporters want candidates who resonate with their concerns and aspirations. They want leaders who act more like bridge builders, not like old gatekeepers. When will PDM stop their march to the beat of a drum that no one else can hear?
Engaging the electorate doesn’t require reinventing the wheel. It just needs a bit of courage—dare I say, a bit of common sense. Imagine a candidate lineup sparkling with potential, candidates who are more than just names on a ballot; they are the faces of hope and the voices of tomorrow. Isn’t that a picture to rally a political party’s base?
But hope is not a strategy, and without significant changes, PDM’s future looks as bleak as a winter’s day in Scotland—short, dark, and chilly. They need to weave a new narrative that captures the imagination and hearts of the public. Without it, they are just treading water in a sea of indifference.
It’s high time PDM breaks away from its outdated playbook. It’s time for bold moves and a glorious reimagining of what a political party can be. Why not throw caution to the wind and really stir the pot? After all, fortune favours the brave!
As we look to the future, PDM stands at a crossroads. Their chosen path has determined their fate in the next election and potentially redefined their place in political history. Will the PDM ever step up, or will they remain trapped in the cobwebs of complacency?
To end, let's recall the immortal words of Winston Churchill: 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that count.' Does PDM have the courage to continue not just to exist but to thrive and resonate with its supporters, who desperately seek something worth believing in? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—without change, without that courage, they may not like how the story ends."