TURNCOAT TAKES A TUMBLE

MARCUS Girdharrie is probably experiencing the most wretched feeling of any local government election candidate.

Mere weeks before the election, Girdharrie abandoned the United National Congress (UNC), on whose ticket he had captured the Marabella South-Vistabella seat in the 2019 poll.

He rushed into the embrace of the People’s National Movement (PNM), which he had previously fiercely opposed.

Only a few months earlier, he was taking jabs at the PNM, and issuing warnings to San Fernando East Member of Parliament Brian Manning.

Manning should “fear me,” Girdharrie said, since “I have the ability to be the next … MP for San Fernando East.”

And, with equal gusto, he turned against UNC, stating that he is “yet to see a plan or strategy … to place us in the majority in (San Fernando City Corporation.”

But Girdharrie’s turncoat politics and tough talk have not brought him positive results.

Instead, he took a tumble, losing his seat, even after a recount.

As it turned out, the UNC showed growth in the San Fernando election, winning Marabella West, a district that includes the Trainline, one of the poorest communities in the southern city.

UNC operatives could well quote a memorable Kenny Rogers line for Girdharrie: “You picked a fine time to leave me.”

In the process, his rising career has been set back, and may even be ruined, although he could be rehabilitated with the PNM in national office.

He and his handlers would now learn that political defectors carry both baggage and benefit.

Some UNC voters would feel betrayed by his defection.

And certain PNM diehards would be upset at a just-come former opponent being fielded for public office.

It essentially comes down to personal standing with the electorate and the ability to effectively market your personal message.

That asset gave victory to Sheldon “Fish” Garcia, who also defected from UNC to PNM in the run-up to the local government poll.

Garcia retained the Arima Central seat.

Constituents talk of his impact on the people.

The man became the message.

Girdharrie has said he regrets not engaging more with swing voters.

Of more significance is that he missed the political moment and did not capture the mood of his constituents.

That is never a good thing for an emerging politician.