Calypsonian Winston Scarborough (De Original De Fosto Himself) says Ah Cyah Vote For Dat is another song from his repertoire of patriotic songs.
In a television interview with CNC3 presenter Paolo Kernahan, he felt he had to reflect the grievances of the people and give voice to the dispossessed. Scarborough said: "I spoke about the song and how the decisions Prime Minister Patrick Manning were affecting the dispossessed in the society. "I noticed when you look around, poor people are left hungry and in need," he said. "I had to ask myself about the smelter, and the no-confidence motion. How could I vote for that? I looked at how the people in Arima wanted Pennelope Beckles and they were given Laurel Lezama. I had to conclude Ah Cyah Vote for Dat."
Scarborough began the interview with his Reflections on the late Dr Eric Williams, the first prime minister of T&T. "The late Dr Eric Williams made a great contribution and I paid tribute to Dr Eric Williams for his work," he said. "I sang Reflections of the late Prime Minister (who died on March 29, 1981)." He spoke about other patriotic songs that he had composed, including O Trinidad and From Colonialism To Republicanism. "I am reflecting the needs in the society," Scarborough said.
"If you have followed me historically, you would see I sang songs about Vindra Naipaul and Police Money...I am reflecting the needs of the society." Scarborough has performed Ah Cyah Vote For Dat on the UNC platforms at St Augustine, St Helena and is expected to perform in Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar's Siparia constituency tonight. Defending his decision to sing with the UNC, he said: "I wrote the tune because of the issues. The party saw the need for the song. They saw the problems the song had highlighted."
He had another message for his critics. "Isn't UNC part of the society? Aren't those politicians part of our society? The UNC is part of the democratic process," Scarborough said.