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by pltm
(PLTM) - Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Myron Walwyn says that he will not be quitting, and the public can expect to see him back on the campaign trail in the next four years.
The NDP was ousted following two terms in office, and with 3,335 votes, Walwyn lost his bid for Premiership and his Territorial At-Large seat.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, March 1, he said, “I will continue as the Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP).”
“We do have a Constitution in the party that certainly will be used at the right time. When that time comes to decide who the new executive members are, certainly whatever the outcome of that might be, I will respect whatever it is,” Walwyn declared.
Reflecting on the campaign trail, the personal attacks he faced and the impact, the NDP Chairman said, “I have never seen any political candidate targeted so much like I was. I have never seen it coming from many different directions for many reasons that were personal.”
However, he has taken an optimistic view of these attacks, saying, “…And that tells me that they see something in me. I am not quitting, they will have to deal with what they see in four years.”
In the meantime, he said that serious attention must be placed on implementing anti-defamation laws. This is in response to the many defamatory messages and memes that were in circulation during the campaign period.
He stated, “It’s matter that has to be looked at and it would certainly require us to revisit our defamation laws, taking into account the new reality that comes with the use of social media. The issue that you have is that you don’t now the origin of the Whatsapp (messages).
According to Walwyn, while they may not be able to trace the origin of messages and memes, he said systems can be put into place to prevent the circulation of the material.
“…Because once you forward something that is defamatory, you are also creating the same offense yourself.”
He admitted that the memes and messages did have an impact on the election, saying, “When people see those things coming around, it operates on your mind. It’s an additional matter that you have to now consider and it confuses you and it changes the issues, because you really want to run a campaign based on issues.”
Stressing the importance of addressing the issue, he added, “What they did to us, they can do to any of you on any given day…”
