Sanjay Lewis | Time come for fixed election date

Many of us were caught by surprise when Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, in a hastily called broadcast to the nation, declared that her country would go to the polls on January 19. This, of course, is approximately 15 months before the general elections are constitutionally due. A quick scan on social media saw political pundits questioning the decision. Many are of the view that Mottley has great political mileage and enjoys the support of many, so why rush to call an election so early when it is clear (well, so we thought) that her party is obviously in a safe political standing?

For those who are following the politics, it is clear that she sees that there is imminent danger, she is seizing the opportunity to capitalise on her popularity. It is also evident that the current main opposing party, led by Verla De Peiza, is in a rebuilding mode and is not ready to mount a successful challenge against Mottley. I don’t blame her, because she has the power under the constitution to call the election whenever she sees fit.

A similar situation occurred a little over a year ago in Jamaica with Prime Minister Andrew Holness. He saw that the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) clearly had serious internal issues and he used that opportunity to call the election before it was constitutionally due. He was able to gain a landslide against the PNP.

The recent announcement by Mottley has renewed discussions about a fixed election date. It is time we take the power out of the hands of the prime minister and move to having fixed election dates in the Caribbean. Largely, our political system is taken from the British Westminster system. Ironically, Britain has moved away from prime ministers calling elections and has adopted the model of having a fixed election date. I must, however, state that this is currently being challenged by the Conservative party in Britain led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

POLITICAL ADVANTAGE

Former opposition Senator of Barbados Caswell Franklyn, in reacting to the calling of the election by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, said, “At this stage of our development, we should not be at the whims and fancy of any single person.” I agree with him. I am of the belief that no prime minister should have that say as to when an election is called. It clearly gives the government the political advantage, and puts the opponent at a disadvantage. Additionally, who says the people of the country are interested in early elections? It is only self-serving. Leaders must face the fire when the election is constitutionally due. One would be fortunate if, at that time, the political pendulum is in the favour of the incumbent. But the people of the country, and the opposition, should not have to guess when the election will be held. They should know in advance so that they can plan.

The disadvantage with a fixed election date could be that an ineffective government could remain in power; but to fix that issue, there can be provisions within the constitution to facilitate an early election. This can be done through a vote of no confidence; it is for this reason I cannot support the move by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 on the grounds that it had stifled democracy and propped up weak governments. The act already makes provision for an early election if two-thirds of the House of Commons voted in favour of one, or if the Government lost a vote of confidence. So, the argument brought forward by Prime Minister Johnson is absurd. I must admit that the two-thirds majority can also be potentially dangerous, as the opposition may support the government in its quest to gain political mileage. It is for this reason why I am of the belief that the only way an early election can be called is if the government has lost a vote of confidence.

No prime minister or president should have that sole power to determine when the people go to the poll. This process should not be self-serving; the date should be fixed, with conditions on how the calling of an election before it is constitutionally due should happen. There are many things that are wrong with the United States political system; but one thing is for sure is that it is organised. While I am not one to suggest that we rush to adopt everything from the United States, they are a shining example of how fixed election dates have worked. There are compelling reasons for us to adopt a fixed election date than to stick to what currently obtains – which is to leave this awesome power to a leader who clearly will use it to his/her advantage, and not in the best interest of the country and the people they service. Time come!

Sanjay Lewis is a co-host on the Morning Agenda on Power 106FM and an adjunct lecturer in introduction to politics at University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Send feedback to sanjaylewis@gmail.com.