MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
Sam Orgias

The American democratic presidential candidate on a recent visit to London was asked about the British Prime Minister’s political prospect.

Obama’s clever response was as follows: 'you’re always more popular before you’re in charge of things. Once you’re responsible, then you’re going to make some people unhappy'.

In actuality, that statement aptly describes the situation which most leaders and their parties endure on assuming office, after years in the wilderness. A drop in popularity seems to be the natural order of things, in this circumstance.

This truism invariably seems to be linked to the exaggerated expectations of supporters of a party arriving in power. Therefore, it might be prudent for NDC to take note.

To arrive in power politicians often advance a long list of  non-costed -  promises and make compromises to buy electoral support which, in the end, leaves them without the full effective means to exercise power. This in fact gives credence to the assertion of ‘forming a government, but not in power'.

So indeed, governments arriving in power would have to take steps from day one to manage expectations and provide a level of satisfaction to supporters, in particular; and to a lesser extent their opponents, in order to maintain popularity and their eventual survival in a democracy. Remember this constant and favourite quote from NDC supporters at the moment: “Is-wee-time-now”. The message is poignant – It attempts to explain thirteen years of wait and discrimination, and the concept of political participation in Grenada.

Managing expectations will involve a series of measures. You should start by delivering what you promised to the people. That will mean that you should not abandon your manifesto and you should also recall the soundbites you used to such good effect in the campaign, which had us jumping with expectation of an NDC government.

Arriving in power under the slogan of change requires you to be creative and inventive and set about to govern 'differently' in the interest of all. Neither will business as usual nor the status quo be acceptable options. To borrow an Obama slogan, we would demand 'change we could believe in'.

Where does the solution lie? Obviously, a lot depends on the courage and competence of the leadership. Remind yourself of the words of a former Australian prime minister. 'Leadership is not about being nice; it’s about being right and strong'. This view may be supplemented with that of a former US president. He opined, 'to grasp and hold a vision, to fix it in your senses, that’s the very essence of successful leadership'.

Since July 8th, a new government was voted into power. Given the nature of the last administration and its penchant for revenge, it will stop at nothing to sabotage the will of the people and inhibit the new administration from effectuating meaningful change. On the other hand, supporters who have traditionally shown a tendency to fickleness, would have to be convinced that real change demands time and patience.

In the circumstance, there’s an obligation on leadership to remain in close contact with its base in their constituency, constantly explaining the measures that are being adopted to effectuate change and the obstacles in the way.

It will be vital to get the fundamentals right, despite the formidable task of developing and implementing policy, with the former administration’s political operatives placed in strategic positions throughout the public service with the express purpose of playing a partisan political role. It will require guts and bold actions to eliminate that legacy. A streak of ruthlessness combined with a dose of Machiavellian cunning - within the law - might be the only solution to deal with that excess baggage. Opponents will cry foul, so it is necessary to arm yourself with the facts to respond to the deluge of criticism that one can anticipate will follow.

In fact, if NDC fails to deal with this problem, it will amount to digging its own grave come the next vote. NDC will be unlikely to have two bites of the chocolate which will be necessary to consolidate real change in this country.

So how is NDC going to maintain popularity? Are you prepared to adopt a far reaching – no holes barred – ambitious program, as outlined in your manifesto, to address the mega mess - thirteen years of nastiness - you inherited; which the combined brains of Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Moss might prove insufficient to unravel, or are you prepared to swim along with the mess around you, calling it political correctness? Time will tell! Most of us are willing, for the moment at least, to give you time.