Letter: Kamla's victory is inevitable, but what haappens next is critical

In a democracy, the voice of the people prevails.

It took many years, but, eventually, last Janury 24th, the United National Congress (UNC) broke free of its chrysalis and became a truly democratic institution. That's why Kamla Persad-Bissessar is where she is and someone else is not any longer there.

That change was brought about because a small group realized and determined that for the UNC truly to be democratic, its actions must match its deeds.

Thus, the change was initiated by the actions of a few - principally: Austin Jack Warner, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Winston "Gypsy" Peters.

And so is the case with all popular movements - a few enlightened take the first steps, then, by dint of their constant effort over time, a ripple becomes a swell, then, a wave.

But, as with all popular movements, if they are to be successful, sooner rather than later a definite personage must be identified in whom all leadership hopes are vested. The singular quality that leader must possess is charisma.

And if such a charismatic leader also possesses the required dexterity, then she would easily be able to whip the breaker into a catalytic tsunami before bringing it ashore.

That's why Kamla Persad-Bissessar is where she is and someone else is not any longer there; and why, soon enough, another person, too, no longer would be. when the last-mentioned event occurs, the whole of Trinidad and Tobago would at last be what UNC became last January 24th.

May 24th 2010, therefore, is the easy part, almost a foregone conclusion.

What happens beyond then will depend upon how entrenched the tsunamic democracy afterwards becomes.

Richard Wm. Thomas | Five Rivers, Arouca
5rivers.kid.publik@gmail.com