The kick-off of the DP online television DPTV via social media platforms

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Democratic Party (DP) St. Martin: “The people need to see and hear us. The more challenging the times, the more critical it is to reach out and to speak to the people of the country by all means possible and under all circumstances”.

In this election therefore we are balancing traditional campaigning with different online platforms to reach as many persons as possible, the DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams stated on Wednesday.

Mindful of the impact of social media on our lives, the DP has introduced yet another outlet to reach the voting population and the public at large. “We have introduced DPTV, a live program to be aired several times a week via multiple social media platforms, presenting the population not only with the DP’s views on matters, but also bringing experts to expound on matters of interest to the population.

“It is very crowded in the political arena, not only online, but also in the traditional media, with daily programs and counter programs. Yet, in all of this, the voters need to hear clearly from candidates vying for their votes and the respective parties’ stances on matters.”

This is our objective. With the ongoing political rhetoric and political shenanigans and the harm these are doing to our country, it is important that we cut to the chase and offer a perspective of hope” the DP leader continued.

“Bigger than life billboard are dominating the visual landscape with what individual candidates promise to do. The voting population should be aware that this is not how it works. Moreover, some billboard statements are to put it mildly, misleading and a source of misinformation.

For the DP therefore it is critically important that our message is heard loud and clear. After all, a political party that after 70 years is still around should say something. This is in stark contrast to the political fragmentation of today and the short political lives of some parties and politicians.

The DP was at the forefront in the post-colonial days, following the proclamation of the charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; at the forefront of establishing local political parties, building the tourism product from scratch and seizing the opportunity after the embargo on Cuba in 1962. It was the head start that set St. Maarten apart in the region. The local political system was gradually strengthened as we moved from a dependency of Curacao to an island territory of the Netherlands Antilles and in 2010 to the status of a Dutch country (state).

We will remain at the forefront of the development to guide St. Maarten to further growth with our people first and foremost in all that we do, DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams concluded.