PNP's, Don’t Repeat PDM’s 2012 Mistake

An Op-Ed by Audley Astwood

In 2012, many PDMs took a gamble, thinking that PDM could win the election without supporting Skip, but they lost by one.

This is how important each candidate is, and each vote is. PNP’s must not make the same mistake that PDM’s made in 2012.

How a single vote could carry so much weight? One grain of sand seems small on its own. However, enough grains shape an entire coastline. That’s how elections work. In 2012, some PDM supporters assumed their victory was a sure thing. They decided to stay home instead of voting for a key candidate. That decision cost them the election by a single seat. Their loss was as narrow as a blade of grass, but it sealed their fate.

We in the PNP should learn from that mistake. Each of us carries a vote that can tip the scales. Each ballot can be the deciding factor. An old saying goes, never underestimate the power of a small but committed group. That’s exactly the position that TCI is in. If we treat our votes like optional extras, we risk losing the winner’s circle by the slimmest of margins.

So, how do we avoid the trap PDM fell into? First, we must recognize that every candidate matters. In the same way, every stitch in a well-knit sweater matters. What happens when we pull one stitch loose? The entire piece unravels. If you ignore one of our qualified PNP candidates or fail to show up on Election Day, you risk unravelling our collective hope. Let’s not gamble our future on a guess. That won’t ensure that we’ll win anyway. Vote for all of the PNP candidates.

Second, we must commit to full participation. This is not the time for apathy or assumptions. In a sense, apathy is like handing your opponent the keys. Why would we give away our chance to steer the ship? We have the power. We hold the wheel. Let’s not leave our boat adrift.

Third, we must inspire our neighbours, friends, and family to vote. Election season can be an echo chamber, where one side gets complacent, thinking, “Everyone’s on board.” But complacency is the silent killer of campaigns. We must speak up, stand up, and motivate as many voters as possible. Remember, one person’s voice can start a chorus. If you get three people to vote, each of them does the same; our movement grows like a rising tide.

We must vote for every candidate on the PNP slate. It’s the only way to prevent any cracks that could let our victory slip away. Let’s not mirror the PDM’s past missteps. Don’t let February 08th 2025, be the date you wished you had done more. Our votes, collectively, are the heartbeat of this campaign. Missing just one beat can affect the entire rhythm.

Let’s march to the polls like we’re marching to our celebration this year. Let’s rally around every PNP candidate. Let’s show up in full force. If we do that, we will honour the lessons of 2012 and blaze a path of unity. One vote might sound small, but add them all together, and we’ve got a mighty roar. Let’s make our voices heard—together. Vote PNP straight down the line.