In the recent General Elections in Trinidad and Tobago, I believe there were some people who voted against Manning rather than for the People’s Partnership. So now that Manning is gone, how will the PP fear? Well, they will win their 5 existing Councils for sure. Because the people in those areas are UNC to the bone. What will happen in the others like say Arima now that there is no Manning to get back at.
Here are some things in the PP’s favor:
The theory of cognitive dissonance may come into play. According to Wikipedia, Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding contradictory ideas simultaneously. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance. They do this by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and actions.Dissonance is also reduced by justifying, blaming, and denying. It is one of the most influential and extensively studied theories in social psychology.
Following a choice, such as voting for a particular party, expectations can clash with experience, as when the party does not deliver on its promises. In a state of dissonance, people may feel surprise, dread, guilt, anger, or embarrassment. Despite contrary evidence, people are biased to think of their choices as correct.(adapted from Wikipedia) So having voted PP in the general elections, they vote PP again in the local elections.
So Cognitive Dissonance Theory works in favor of the People’s Partnership.
- The COP factor may have weakened the PNM significantly. Once upon a time, not too long ago, there was a group of middle class and upper class people who felt disenfranchised. They chose none of the above. (as Lloyd Best would say) My theory is that some of these people used to find themselves in the house of the Baliser seeing this shelter as the lesser of two evils or not voting at all. Now many of them have taken up residence in Copville. (or have returned to the UNC now that Panday is gone)
So COP factor helps the People’s Partnership
- Dr. Rowley was right: “Who have more corn feed more cock”. It’s been the PNM strategy for years and the PP will benefit from this.
So if I am right, there will be plenty of yellow on our TV screens on Monday night. This time some of those who voted ‘against Manning’ in the General Elections would be voting ‘for the PP’ in the “Locals” and that, to my mind, is the bigger problem for Dr. Rowley, not losing some Local Councils.
