To say that the People's Partnership has fallen short on election promises is an understatement. It might be a rude awakening but there is no "new politics" just more of the same –"toe the line or else".

The economy is in a slump but stable, whatever that means, crime is decreasing but serious crimes such as rape and murder are increasing. Help me. The industrial climate is under control according to certain ministers, but the major unions have their settlements behind by five years in some cases, and have now given an ultimatum to the Government.

Is it that the challenges of governing this country are too much for everyone? Are our spending and expenses too much for our GDP? Where are we heading when the cost of living is so high and the spending power of the working class is so poor. Are we condemned to live in a deficit economy forever? A minister says on TV, the water-taxis were sold for scrap, another official present said they were bought by Guadeloupe and will be refurbished locally. People of this country are tired of being taken for fools, but we can see clearly now, the rain is gone.

There can never be a happy marriage between government and labour, they both serve different interests. Government has to manage the introverted economy and pander to powerful capitalist forces and societal pressures, labour is committed to getting decent wages for the working class, and never the twain shall meet.

It was always in the cards that the MSJ would leave the Partnership; the question was when, and how many slaps in the face it would take. It's the acrimony displayed by the Government on the MSJ's departure that's disturbing. If Mr Abdulah was so bad and such a misfit, and his demands so reckless, why did the Government coddle him?

The labour movement was able to become a powerful governing force in this country. It can do so again. It will take some time for everyone to realise when you represent the interests of the working class and all people of good conscience, you can never go wrong.

Joel Quintal

San Fernando