By Lloyd Noel It has been widely said – that political action in a Country proceeds at the pace that is permitted by the understanding of its people. And it has also been declared by many who have spent decades operating in the system – that we seem to be imprisoned in a combination of the hostile political forces ….locked into our own little yes-groups and henchmen, wanting to be told what we want to hear. The system we borrowed, or inherited upon gaining our so-called independence, was based on the notion that the public good is promoted by conflict among political groups or parties – and in our tiny state of these Spice Isles, we have gone through all sorts of ups and downs to provide the conflicts – but am not so sure that it has promoted the public good. It is not that we are ashamed of our political parties as such – but so long as polities is seen as the undignified contest between various groups struggling for nothing more than mere power, then so long is shame the proper attitude to apply to that process; because the public good is never promoted, and the people whose support the party must rely on to gain power, they are often times neglected and treated like strangers until the next time to vote again. Contary to what usually takes place in our political climate in these Isles – the role of the political party once power has been attained, must be the means through which dialogue is maintained between Government and the people. In our tiny-tot Grenadian Society now-a-days, we are seeing and hearing about so many issues of conflict – involving the last Government in power over the Thirteen years or so they were in control; and even just after fourteen Months (14Mths.) in control by the new guys on the power-block, we are already hearing so much about this, that and the other, that touches and concerns the good and welfare and the daily problems of the people – that it makes one tend to wonder about the happenings in general, and the motivations of those raising or manufacturing the issues that will un-doubtedly cause or promote conflict. And as if the political devils and headline seekers in our never-at-rest Islands of conflict – are already on the look out for political bacchanal and melee, although the season and the Election atmosphere for those familiar and ever-present distractions are still nearly four years down the road. Two more born again, or resurrected, or rekindled, or simply re-surfaced groups of die hard campaigners – with one or two new faces of potential prospects for the future – have out of the blue popped out of the wilderness, to announce their presence and readiness to save our long-suffering people from future pressure and economic hardships. The newly formed re-cycled group named The New Labour, with Noah’s Ark as their symbol or ship of salvation, and the long-standing old Labour party of the late Sir Eric Gairy, still calling themselves G.U.L.P, with a new and very creditable young man as their public relations spokes man – announced their presence on the scene, and their readiness to take up the mantle of Leadership and their ability to save our people. Many of the long-standing faces were present in the news coverage I saw on T/V, and they appeared concerned and serious- looking about the job ahead. How many of the ages – old members would come out to support and follow them – is left to be seen, because those supporters are persons in their four score and over age group. And while those two groups were showing off their membership for the tasks ahead – the last lot in power and now on the opposition benches, and who have been holding village meetings up and down the Country side – they have been busy discarding some of the old membership from the front line, in preparation for a new slate to contest the next battle-cry whenever that comes around. The current opposition leadership had been predicting new Elections in two years or so, and the way they have been campaigning these past few months made it look as though the new date was imminent. And with the appearance on the scene of the two resurrected groups, out of the blue as it were, that must have heightened their expectations. But I do not think for a moment they will see any such thing for another three plus years down the road – unless some very dramatic turn around should take place overnight. The opposition group have been flexing their muscles in and out of Parliament – mainly because they still have ready access to inside information from the corridors of Government operation. And what is even more disturbing – is that some of those who carried out very suspicious activities in collaboration with the out-going lot just before the Elections last year – they are still operating within the system as though nothing wrong had taken place. And those very wrongful actions are now coming around to haunt the new controllers, with problems of broken contracts and possible industrial actions. The CCC fiasco is a classic example of that state of affairs – where Millions of the people’s monies were paid out to the Contractors and the Works were not done, and then they wanted more money for the same Contract. And so long as nothing is being done, to have those persons responsible for the above serious breaches, brought to the public domain to account for their wrong-doing – then so long it will be before we can see the public good and welfare being taken care of. True enough, things are hard for many persons and families, and they will surely get much worse before ever getting any better. And needless to say, there is very little those in control can do about the existing conditions, or what is to come hereafter. But while they are waiting for things to turn around on the global stage – they must be preparing themselves and the local conditions to take care and advantage of what maybe possible. And it cannot be repeated too often, that a very integral aspect of the local conditions that must be taken care of – so as to clear the deck of all the corrupt and bubul practices that went before, so that those coming hereafter to do business in our land will know from the outset that it is not business as usual – but that things have changed and they must come with clean hands. No one should even try to fool himself that what went before cannot, or would not happen again – like gross dishonest and bribery-seeking activities of those who occupied the seats of power for all those years. We are here talking about and dealing with very ordinary human beings – and the temptation that comes with power is not regulated by, or limited to any particular party colours or social background. And unless and until, very concrete and crucial examples are made of those who abused and mis-used their positions of power, for personal and very obscene and dishonest loads of financial gains which they continue to enjoy – then nothing of any substance and meaningful standing will be achieved. Tourism and Agriculture are the two pillars on which our Economic standard and possibilities have been built or discussed over the years. Hurricanes Ivan and Emily put paid to Agriculture, and the process of revival and recovery will take a very long time – especially in the areas of our main products of those days, of Nutmeg, Cocoa and Bananas. Tourism is a horse of a very different colour. We need the hardware of Hotels and Services to attract Tourists, and those cost plenty money to provide. The days of tourist coming to our lands for Sun Sea and Sand, and drive around the Island to see the Vegetations and return to their Hotels for dinner, and call that George – those days have gone out of the Calendar for good – never to return. To-day’s tourist who wish to stay for some time need more than that – but even for providing the additional needs to attract them to come calling and staying for a week or two, that too need serious Capital expenditure. And that is where we have to be careful about who we attract; what we are offering them to persuade them to spend the big bucks; what is in the package for us as a people. And just as importantly, can be afford to consider the offers we may get from the point of view of old fashioned niceties, and olde World concepts and principles, and reject them on those bases – while our people remain un-employed, in dire need of basic facilities and amenities, while the opportunities pass us by to greener pastures. These are very serious and deep-rooted issues, concepts, or principles, that need equally serious considerations and a wider range of food for thought. On the visible horizon for us in these Isles – is the whole question of Oil and Gas exploration and how-soon production. Again we have some over-hanging obstacles from the last lot in control in that area. In that there is on-going litigation in New York , which involves the last Minister and his Russian colleagues and the question of Breach of Contract and demands for Bribery payments before awarding Contracts; as well as time limits for actual production and monies going into the people’s Treasury in St. George’s . We have been hearing lately of bilateral talks with Trinidad and Tobago – about boundaries limitation, who owns what and wherefrom, and how soon we can possible start to mine Oil. The mere thought of what could be in store on that score - is like a breath of very fresh air, and very, very, welcome. Time and unfolding events will reveal in due course, but then again with all the recent statements since the current Government came into office – about Association and Co-operation between Trinidad and the Windward Islands of the OECS – it should not be too difficult to put a package together that will benefit all sides at this time. The Government Ministers have been busy attending meetings and Regional conferences all over the globe, and by so doing getting acquainted with their counterparts Worldwide. Many of those meetings result from our membership in various Bodies as an Independent State , and therefore cannot be avoided. We are hearing about possible visits by Heads of States to our shores, and our P.M. has been making speeches and drawing attention to our mini-state, that are very different from the adverse black-listing we have been getting from the last lot. These are all very useful and necessary – but unless and until they begin to show concrete results, that create jobs and opportunities for our people to earn a livelihood that will put food on the table, and generally improve their living conditions – the promises and possibilities will not be enough. And it is against that background the whole question of conflict between parties in a political atmosphere – can be used to promote the public good. And it is because those re-surfacing groups are sensing that the end products are not forthcoming thus far – they are flexing muscles and will soon start to dis-colour the waters to make it look as though nothing is happening. The time is therefore well over-due for things to start happening amidst the conflict – so as to promote the public good and build up the confidence that seems to be lacking in the powers-that-be.