October 13, 2011Dear Sir,I have wondered what political principle was at work when the PLP hierarchy permitted the relatively recent newcomer, Zane DeSilva, to oust the long-serving Speaker, Stanley Lowe. Whatever the principle, it made the kind of statement which illustrates the reason for the increasing disillusionment among PLP supporters. I believe that Walton Brown has much to offer but what value does the hierarchy place on its own Ministers and the critical policies he is supposed to be implementing when they permit their own policies to be disrupted in this manner? Ultimately, for me, it was one more illustration of Party politics bringing divisiveness between Blacks when a serious effort might have been made to ensure the contribution of all four of those persons. It is clear that party politics continues to be as destructive to the general progress of the black community as it was when it first institutionalised the racial divide, through part politics, that segregation had imposed on the black community for decades since emancipation, while, at the same time, creating divisive conflict within the black community.Before party politics, a cohesive black community achieved the desegregation of public places in two months. That benefited every black person. Before party politics, a cohesive black community achieved universal franchise which also benefited every black person (as well as some whites and some “Portuguese”) in two elections. Since party politics, what policy has benefited every black person? It took 30 years to get a black majority in the House of Assembly. Without the divisiveness of party politics it would have taken less than a decade! Without party politics, a cohesive black community would have insisted on an economic policy which recognised and addressed the economic exclusion and disadvantage imposed on Blacks through segregation and that would have benefited every black person.Under party politics that has not happened because it is the “party” and it's hierarchy, not the people, who benefit — and some have benefited greatly. Without party politics, and with a cohesive black community, we might have even gotten around to addressing not only the economic damage done to every black person but to the psychological damage done to every black person as a result of centuries of racism and segregation. It should be obvious that no political party is going to “fix” the damage done to the black community as a result of party politics!EVA N HODGSONHamilton Parish