So, since these problems continue to plague the PUP, will the UDP Government call a snap general election? That's what everyone wants to know, and when we asked Faber about that, he said that the Prime Minister is playing it close to his chest:
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"We have to be weighing these events happening with the opposition quite continuously, because you never can tell what is going to happen next. A lot of things have happened so far, but whether it translates into an early election for us is something that requires more thought. We are always very careful. I mean there are examples in the past where people have jumped at such opportunities and of course that has not turned out well. So, we want to be careful. We are optimistic that we can call an early elections and in fact the Prime Minister has given indications that is something that is quite possible. He is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to that. But as far as we see it, yes, an early election is quite possible. When it is, when it is the right time to strike is what is still to be decided and of course as I've said, the ultimate decision will be made by the Prime Minister. But of course we weigh in all of these factors that are happening with the opposition."
"I myself are never too overly cautious, because I know that the UDP for instance was once in a very bad position back in 1998 and of course it did not signaled the death of the UDP. The UDP came back, rose and is now the winningest part since the independence of this country. So, the PUP is down, but I am not counting them out and we are not taking anything for granted."
But while no one knows how soon, we all know that elections are very soon - and if the Prime Minister holds form - his Independence Day Address on September 21st will be the occasion for gifts to the electorate. Last year, it was one month of free mortgage for qualifying persons, the year before that doubled up internet speeds. But this year, rumors say it could be something in the education sector. Faber said that there's nothing planned for his ministry at this time:
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"If you studied the way we manage the Ministry of Education over the last 8 years now - going on 8 years. We have always sought to do initiatives that gives particularly the poorer people in this country some kind of reprieve. You remember the $300 subsidy, you saw our tablet initiative, you saw our CXC payments initiative and no elections are in sight, but we are always looking for initiatives to help to develop the education system and to help poor people to make education affordable for them. So, there is no such initiative at this time, or any kind of... there is never a gimmick I believe either. We are tasked with helping to develop education in this country and that's exactly what is on our agenda every day of the week whether election is coming or not."
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