January 4 2019
Dear Editor,
Many Guyanese at home and abroad are paying keen attention to the ongoing campaign-type activities initiated by those who, thus far, have expressed an interest in being the presidential candidate of the PPP/C for the next general and regional elections.
For some time now, campaigning has been in full swing by the presidential wannabes. Social media is being used to the hilt to inform who is doing what, where and for whom. As for the ‘why,’ that is quite obvious.
Never before in the history of the PPP has its search for a presidential candidate been so extensively expressed via social media. In the recent past, when there was more than one aspirant, social media was not the ‘in thing.’ The wannabes at that time, were either not computer geeks nor did they appear interested in using social media as a means of sharing and communicating their thoughts with others.
This time around however, the trend seems to be each according to his ability, since the campaign by each of the known candidates is coloured by their respective professions. The lawyer uses his legal, oratory and writing skills; the doctor uses his medical knowledge and experience; while the others use whatever they have picked in politics for imagery.
Thus far, the known contenders have refrained from making any denigrating or bigoted remarks about each other and that’s a good sign. So far, so good. If a stint in government and a dozen years in the political vineyard is enough for one to throw one’s hat in the ring, then so be it.
In Guyana, the race to be the presidential candidate has become a popularity contest. From all appearances, it seems that a ministerial portfolio has become either undervalued or devalued. The presidency has become low hanging fruit for easy picking by those in and out of the PPP afflicted by red carpet fever.
This should not be. The larger consideration at all times must be to serve at whatever level destiny calls on one to be of service. Granted that destiny can be tricky as illusive. The moral of the Greek fable about Icarus should be taken into account by the aspirants; do not disregard advice nor scoff at experience. Recklessness and infatuation can bring about one’s downfall.
As far as the ambitions of the known PPP presidential aspirants are concerned, there is no reason why they should not have a shot at the candidature. There is a general expectation that those who have already declared their interest, would in the spirit of reciprocity, take into consideration their ‘Mattee’s’ respective track record. Of interest would be the degree to which each of them would have been tried, tested and experienced in and out of government, as well as in the political struggles over the years.
Concerns over ‘Jagdeo picking the presidential candidate’ (or candidates) have been making the rounds for some time in the diplomatic circle and in certain quarters as well as in sections of the media. Irrespective of the source, the point is, such a view, makes those not contesting as well as those contesting look as though their vote will be a wasted vote because the candidate is already decided.
There is a general view that in going forward, no aspirant/s need to be sanctimonious, condescending, genuflective nor sycophantic in their bid to be the PPP’s presidential candidate. Any such posture could prove more damaging, if not disastrous, to any of the candidates in the long run.
And while each aspirant/s will bring to the table his/their own style, be it combative, cool, assertive, articulate, laid back or controversial, none of these qualities should be used to disqualify or debar any of them from aspiring to be the primus inter pares.
Each aspirant should be fully cognisant of the numbers game in respect to elections within an organisation. They should also be aware of the different permutations that are necessary to achieve electoral success. But as it was, and always will be, in the tradition of Cheddi Jagan, the key factor is endurance, to stumble and rise up again, to a take a step back, and return to fight the good fight knowing full well what the odds are or were.
No candidate should sell themselves short nor ever undervalue their contribution big or small. So long as the aspirants’ contribution was made without being fetched on anyone’s back then, by all means they ought to be extremely proud of their contribution.
But in the end, there is an emerging view that there may very well be more than one candidate and that the party may very well return to the 1977 formula.
Much has been said about the so-called ‘Old Guard.’ ‘Old Guard’ implies unwillingness to accept change and/or new ideas. Many ‘Old Guards’ served at different intervals, as ministers of government and parliamentarians between 1992 and 2015. They were not considered ‘Old Guard’ then but in less than three years, they have suddenly become the ‘Old Guard’ bereft of any new ideas and resistant to change at a time when the search is on for a presidential candidate.
The above notwithstanding, it cannot be disputed that the ‘Old Guard’ contributed to every major policy decision of the PPP. The so-called ‘Old Guard’ served at various levels of the party since its transformation from a loose mass party to a disciplined-type of party. The ‘Old Guard’ participated in party to party talks with the People’s National Congress; they helped formulate party policies on civil resistance and non-cooperation as well as the policy on ‘critical support.’
The so-called ‘Old Guard’ assisted in formulating the proposal for a National Patriotic Front and National Front Government; they were part of the decision to boycott the 1980 referendum; as well as the agreement to establish the PPP/C electoral alliance on shared and inclusive government. Many of the so-called ‘Old Guard’ represented the party abroad at important international fora. They helped broaden and re-shape, in a positive way, the international image of the party.
Many suffered racial and political discrimination, police and political harassment, victimisation and imprisonment, having led marches, demonstrations and picketing exercises. These individuals traveled the length and breadth of Guyana speaking at PPP public meetings and various party fora. These are the stalwarts who were in the forefront of every major political struggle by the PPP for the restoration of democracy and for upholding the civil and political rights of the Guyanese people including the rights of the Amerindian peoples; the sugar workers and rice farmers; the battles to free Arnold Rampersaud; the Mahaicony Three; for Dr Walter Rodney to be employed at the University of Guyana, and above all, the difficult, on-going struggles to achieve racial and working class unity in our country.
The so-called ‘Old Guard’ participated fully in the struggles for free and fair elections waged by the Committee for the Defence of Democracy and the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy. Many took turns in accompanying Dr Jagan on Capitol Hill, Washington, USA; Ontario, Canada; London, UK; and within CARICOM during his lobbying efforts for electoral reforms in our country resulting in the PPP’s victory at the 1992 elections.
Those stalwarts, now branded ‘Old Guard’ served on Elections Commissions, and while there, contributed to the formulation of electoral reforms resulting in a more transparent and democratic electoral process at that time in our country. The ‘Old Guard’ narrative therefore appears to be duplicitous, if not self-serving. The achievements of the ‘Old Guard’ cannot be wished away by a mere label. Records of their achievements and contributions to Guyana’s development made at the time when they served in government are to be found in the Hansard of the National Assembly.
Moreover, the ‘Old Guard’s’ contribution to the all-round development of the PPP remains permanently etched in the annals of the PPP’s contemporary history. Whatever the shape or form of the PPP’s candidature, it must be one that aims to win both the Presidency and the majority in the Parliament. A minority government will certainly not suffice.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J Rohee
ld guard: they are all old farts.