"Old politics" vs "New politics" - The communications challenge
In the wake of Trinidad and Tobago’s general elections, supporters of the once-again ruling party, the People’s National Movement (PNM), are in absolute glee, the United National Congress Alliance’s (UNC-A) supporters are “damn vex” and resentful, and the Congress of the People’s (COP) supporters are disappointed. COP, the newest party on T&T’s scene, reportedly garnered over 148,041 votes out of 41 consituencies, and while their support base was not enough to garner them one seat, the votes given for them are an indication of a percentage of society’s views and dissatisfaction with the existing political regime, and hope that someone else would have been given a chance to lead Trinidad and Tobago up a progressive path.One can view the COP’s showing from the perspective that one wouldn’t expect a new party to win the elections on its first try anyway. Regarding the effectiveness of its campaign, the fact that it got thousands of votes, 148,041 to be exact, is a big deal in T&T where people continue to vote based on race and propaganda, and are fiercely loyal to the parties their parents and grandparents grew up voting. So, COP has some support from which to leverage itself towards the next general elections. It also has to play on the strengths of its more dynamic members who command attention, for example Gillian Lucky and Anand Ramlogan.
Those who are optimistic say “don’t worry, in five years we’ll be ready for them”. But there are challenges. The main challenge the COP has to face is the fact that it will not be in Parliament. Therefore, it won’t be officially representing the people. It won’t always be in front of the media. Whereas an Opposition is a shadow government and thus can demonstrate on a regular basis its mettle, the COP will have to create alternative opportunities to demonstrate this. And in Trinidad and Tobago, we know that out of sight is out of mind, so the COP has to stay in sight.
According to political analyst Dr Winford James, quoted in today’s Express, “the Congress of the People (COP) cannot survive without having seats in parliament”, as “practicality and a look at history would lead to that conclusion”.
He says:
“The COP doesn’t have the electoral basis for survival. I am not saying that they won’t, I can’t see that basis for their survival. The question is whether their electoral base of support can hold… If they do, it seems that their reason for coming together is far stronger than we believed.”
James adds that parties like the COP generally only have one chance, as “the electorate only gave them one chance, hoping that they will do well”. He also notes “the possibility of a migration of some COP back to the more substantial base-the United National Congress Alliance, some to the People’s National Movement (PNM) and some back to the fence”.
Noting that COP got 25 percent of the popular vote, Nicholas Laughlin states:
“If the COP is to have any long-term effect, if they are serious – if we are serious – about breaking the deadlock of tribal voting, those are the numbers future planning must be based on, it seems to me. And what is the 44-25 strategy (44 represents the percentage of the electorate who did not vote)? Convince the 44% that the COP is a viable option, that a vote for the COP is not a wasted vote, is more than a protest vote, and get them out to the polls next time. And work for real reform of a constitutional system that ignores the wishes of a full quarter of the electorate.”
The UNC managed just 22.5%, but took eleven seats, thanks to the first-past-the-post system.
So bearing this major challenge in mind, what will be COP’s communication objectives? I imagine:
1. To retain current support.
2. To attract new supporters.
3. To demonstrate that they have the capability to be an effective Government that can help better the country.
4. To convince the population that they are not a group of “Ole politicians”.
5. To motivate and convince the population that they should put their X by the circles (the COP logo), voting for COP.
They will need to hire a great PR firm/ consultant who will help them to achieve these objectives, and keep them visible. They need to keep holding events, and meeting with people in communities. Empowering people is also a great strategy, thereby encouraging them to rally. Create Cop ambassadors. COP will have to push an underground and above ground movement, using traditional as well as grassroots techniques. They can also maintain a heavy presence in social media fora. They already have some support in the blogosphere with bloggers like Manicou pushing for them. In a Facebook group, Youths for the Congress of the People, a person said that they have to put the elections behind them and push for more young activists to carry on the mantle, and believe me when I say that this group wall is busy.I’m guessing that due to Winston Dookeran’s (COP’s leader) age, leadership may be another issue to consider for the next elections. Some supporters, while they support Dookeran’s ideals, never saw him as a Prime Minister, considering him too soft, too gentle to be this country’s leader. See Caribbean politics has been defined by charismatic leaders, so somewhere in the psychology of our people, they need drama, and flair. So, just as a company considers the relationship its publics have with its CEO, it’s the same way COP’s communications team must consider this dynamic. Nevertheless, the fact remains that many people respect Winston Dookeran, especially after his most gracious concession speech.
So the COP must consider visibility, relevance, and leadership, among other factors, as it plans how to win over the T&T electorate. Funding aside, it has a hell of a challenge ahead to remain relevant and have a real shot at governance in 2012. Let’s see if they prove that circles never end.
Video highlight of COP campaign
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Congratulations to you on your coverage of elections 2007, but all who are pessimistic of the CoP’s ability to survive are wrong…..
CoP WILL SURVIVE!
Once again the bias of the Express is visible in the censorship being exercised in the community comments posted online in response to the news items. It has been my experience and that of others that once the comments are in favour of the CoP, the comments are not posted. I am therefore asking that you publish the following comments - a true ‘CoPian’ perspective…
All of us who voted for CoP and listened in stunned silence and tears to the results on Monday night need to read Raymond Ramcharitar’s webpage for an in-depth assessment of Elections 2007. Please go to http://trinidadmediaartsculture.blogspot.com/ and absorb the information therein.
This blog has presented a blow by blow realistic look at areas that worked against the CoP…..major food for thought. His assessment of how some members of the media worked to present the most negative views of CoP, especially Judy Raymond of the Express - reflected my thoughts when I came home and read the opinions.
The following were my thoughts after reading the story in the Express today entitled CoP will not Survive…..I posted them online but do not think they will display it as they have not posted any of my previous comments in support of the CoP.
“I wonder which political science books Dr. Winford James studied to help him arrive at this decision. Somebody has missed the boat on the raison d’etre for the CoP’s existence.
1. CoP supporters want NO PART of either Panday or Manning
2. Personal and political integrity reflected in the COP leader and the candidates does not DIE or FADE AWAY.
3. The COP HAS THE ELECTORAL BASIS FOR SURVIVAL! The results speak for themselves - the supports was alive throughout the entire country even though it did not translate into seats - we live to fight another day in five years’ time.
4. Panday has stated that being in Parliament as opposition is a waste of time as all they do is talk (see Panday’s PAIN). There is a critical need for a performing opposition and the CoP will need to be the active voice of the people if the UNC sees their being around parliament as a waste of time.
5. The Emperor being clothed in Woodford Square in front of his subjects is a Pappyshow that will create major traffic jams and a waste of taxpayers money in security and set up costs. But say what - so much of the Treasury has been utilised - what is a few million more?
6. The lack of impartiality is so obvious and mind boggling. Mr. Dookeran is the best candidate for Prime Minister and in time, the country will reallise their error in not giving their support.
7. The politics of BIG BUCKS won out in the campaigns of both the PNM and the UNC - the Treasury against the Warner / FIFA ?(where else if not from the 13 companies owned by family) funded bucks - and the Treasury won out. It was never about exercising the right choice except for the CoP.”
8. The venom that poured out of the UNC leader on Tuesday morning and has continued unrepentant to date has turned my resolve into steel. I cannot and will NEVER allow this country to be influenced by such POISON. God does know that we could NOT have lived with the PANDAY WARNER destructiveness. IT IS BETTER TO FACE A COUNTRY CONTINUING WITH MANNING THAN TO FACE JACK AND BAS!
9. JUSTICE was served. Manning got one seat less than he needed for his majority and he has Panday’s venom (waste of time in parliament…all they do is talk) to face each time they go in to discuss the country’s business. MY SHADOW PRIME MINSTER WILL NOT FACE THIS ABUSE and for this I thank God.
The CoP will survive….there are one hundred and forty-eight thousand plus of us who are NOT ready to die and fade into the woodwork. My jersey and my bandana will be washed and put into my cupboard for whenever my country needs it to come out. We will be waiting….
God bless!
A TRUE TRINI CoPIAN