By Oscar Dolphin- The story of the Tortoise and the Hare is one of Aesop’s Fables known to many generations of children and serves to promote the truism that slow and steady wins the race. I also recall the lyrics of the Pointer Sisters 1981 release “Slow Hand” which confesses that “I want a man with a slow hand, I want a lover with an easy touch, I want somebody who will spend some time, not come and go in a heated rush”. I use the above to demonstrate that political understanding is not complicated; it can even be found in a children’s story and an R&B single from the 80’s and easily understood by everyone.
Both illustrate that victory in a race, much less the most important race of your life, satisfaction in a relationship or success of any kind, generally requires slow and steady progress with a determined focus on the prize. Aubrey Norton became Leader of the PNC/R at the end of 2021 with overwhelming support for a united, inclusive and determined programme to launch the coalition’s return to office within the shortest possible time.
More than two years on the party has regressed and is less united, inclusive and further away from returning to office than at any time in its proud history. Ineffective and uninspiring leadership has led to a loss of support internally and externally which culminated in the PNC/R losing ground to the PPP/C in all areas during the Local Government Elections less than a year ago.
The party retreated from some areas and did not contest; where it did contest, it either lost or won with diminished support. The magnitude of its failure was such that the PPP/C’s support was almost double that of the PNC/R (61%/34%) in total votes and more than double (52/23) in Local Authority Areas. These are not strategic withdrawals but self-inflicted wounds and unmitigated disasters, which recognition has led to the display of authoritarian and cosmetic postures to shield him from responsibility. Every child knows that you do not win by going backwards.
In almost any army, or organisation, the general or CEO that presided over such unqualified failures would be removed. To argue for his retention because of lengthy party affiliation, that he can dance or possess considerable social skills which can advance his well-earned popularity, but not the interests or strategic goals of the party, is to suggest a complete lack of understanding of the raison d’etre of political parties, which is to compete successfully for political power.
The undeniable truth is that Aubrey Norton is a beloved comrade, but as a leader he is out of his depth and a danger to the viability of his party, who seems to view leadership solely in terms of position, power relationships and personal goals. His hubris, Machiavellian and backward instincts, threaten to further diminish the party and the chances for a better future for all.
Moreover, his determination to continue in office by manipulative and exclusionary means signals a defiant movement towards despotism, both within the party and country as a whole, as a weak opposition will only embolden an already unrestrained and rapacious ruling party. Abraham Lincoln admitted that “I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back”.
Roysdale Forde is similarly inclined, stylistically, temperamentally and substantively, and approaches his mission deliberately, consensually and firmly directed, ever going upwards and forward, never back, intent on uplifting us all. He is the superior candidate, who Confucius says “is modest in his speech, but excels in his actions” and is, undoubtedly the intelligent and correct choice for Leader of the PNC/R at this critical time.