Coalition politics is new to Trinidad and Tobago. The National Alliance for Reconstruction, (a previous governing political party), although formed from different parties, contested the election as one party with one leader.

The People's Partnership, however, contested the election under different party symbols and leaders. That kind of politics is new and opens up doors to new adjustments. When the United National Congress Alliance contested the 2007 election there were tremendous challenges as the leadership of the UNC Alliance was not popular and the People's National Movement was at its peak.

Those who formed the Alliance did so knowing that there was a very strong possibility that they would not win the election. In spite of the personal and public sacrifices needed to stand by one's belief, the Alliance members remained faithful to the task.

The 2010 election was a much different scenario. Kamla Persad-Bissessar's political stock was rising and that of the PNM leader was falling. It made good political sense to get on the bandwagon and ride on the wave to victory. There is a very likely possibility that the commitment may not have been that which motivates one to work through the teething problems that one should expect in this new approach to Caribbean politics.

One of the most difficult realities that one has to accept in politics is that in spite of what seems to be the norm; politics is about service and sacrifice NOT about investing time, money and support in return for political favours.

It is normal for one to feel disappointment when people you campaigned with pass you without making eye contact or fail to live up to pre election promises.

Such reactions are normal for many politicians and one should expect that things may not turn out as expected. Nothing, however, should turn the dedicated, committed politician away from the task of serving the people. Sometimes such an endeavour may require one to make compromises and bend backwards with the hope that eventually the initial objective of serving the people can be achieved.

The current scenario where the MSJ has pulled out of the People's Partnership Government is one which can lead one to wonder whether the objective was to share in power and benefits of State jobs and political privileges or service to the citizens. Time alone will tell.

There are many who are rejoicing in the pullout hoping that this may be some indication of the ultimate demise of the Government. While there is every indication that this is not the case, one should consider the implications. Can such an eventuality be healthy for Trinidad and Tobago?

The failure of any government has serious consequences for the economy and investors. This ultimately negatively impacts on the citizens of the country. The personal disappointment of one person or group of persons should not automatically translate into a negative view of the government. The nation is not in limbo waiting to be told what is good or bad and what is best for our citizens. Trinidad & Tobago is a highly literate nation with intelligent people. If any group has issues that needs attention, its stands to reason that such group should articulate their position with clarity and specificity and not hide behind rhetoric.

The nation must be told exactly what aspects of the People's Partnership Government's operations is a variance with the objectives of the MSJ and the Fyzabad agreement, why these issues could not be resolved without public outcry and what are the possible solutions.

Until the nation is aware of the real issues, one can speculate that the move to pull out of the Government may not be consistent with the best interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

God Bless Our Nation.

Steve Alvarez

via e-mail