Social activist Mark Benschop will be running for national office with his Independent Party.
He told Stabroek News yesterday that the party will be contesting seats in Regions 3, 4, 6 and 10 with a grassroots approach to garnering support. Benschop said that the aim was to be in Parliament and fight for the people. He said that party politics have clouded the functioning of the legislative branch of government for far too long.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Mark is a standup guy who is principled and will do well in Parliament. I know he has what it takes to make it into Parliament in spite of the odds against him.
I wish him every success and encourage you all to back him as well in whatever way you can.
Especially money, send him money. Elections cost money 
Mark would make a good Mayor of Georgetown. He already has a plan to clean up the court yard using the convicts from Camp street.
Mark would make a good Mayor of Georgetown. He already has a plan to clean up the court yard using the convicts from Camp street.
Mark would make a good Mayor of Georgetown. He already has a plan to clean up the court yard using the convicts from Camp street.
he will get plenty from the ppp after the election
Mark would make a good Mayor of Georgetown. He already has a plan to clean up the court yard using the convicts from Camp street.
he will get plenty from the ppp after the election
Dem PPP bhias smart they will bribe their way out.
Congrats. I hope he run a very good campaign I think many Guyanese like his style.
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
Congrats. I hope he run a very good campaign I think many Guyanese like his style.
Even you are occasionally capable of surprises. And pleasant ones at that.
Mark is a very sincere fellow committed to the betterment of Guyana. While we all pontificate here on GNI, he has put his skin in the game.
He is very popular in Guyana and could have joined the PNC at any time but he values his independence. Mark is a rarity in Guyanese politics.
Also, he is not the race arsonist the PPP likes to paint him as. He is committed firmly to a a multiracial Guyana. Mark himself has a very fluid personal identity.
I think he will be a tremendous asset to Parliament. He is probably the last remaining political figure in Guyana who can easily sellout but has avoided doing so out of principle.
Let us all wish him great success.
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
Correct! Mark should just get involved in the run for Mayor, he'll be working with a brand spanking new Government after giving the PPP the boot.
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
This is a dilemma indeed. I want to see Mark in Parliament but we also need to get the PPP out. I think you make a good point. After APNU and the AFC work their deal out, they should invite Mark and grant him a guaranteed spot on the List for entry into Parliament.
And Mark should accept on the condition that he remains his own man.
Mark Benschop has PPP roots and also Richmond Hill, Queens, lineage
Mark Benschop has PPP roots and also Richmond Hill, Queens, lineage
And solid Corentyne, Berbice lineage. Good enough for dis coolie!
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
Excellent observation.
Mark will take away some votes from the AFC/PNC support base in Berbice. The PPP should be excited about this announcement.
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
Excellent observation.
Mark will take away some votes from the AFC/PNC support base in Berbice. The PPP should be excited about this announcement.
This is what you dogs are down to. Hoping the Opposition will split their votes and allow ayuh to sneak in thru Parliament's BT
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
Excellent observation.
Mark will take away some votes from the AFC/PNC support base in Berbice. The PPP should be excited about this announcement.
This is what you dogs are down to. Hoping the Opposition will split their votes and allow ayuh to sneak in thru Parliament's BT
This politics bai.
Politics is no child's play.
Does Mark have a number where people can contact his campaign headquarters to make a donation ?
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
Excellent observation.
Mark will take away some votes from the AFC/PNC support base in Berbice. The PPP should be excited about this announcement.
This is what you dogs are down to. Hoping the Opposition will split their votes and allow ayuh to sneak in thru Parliament's BT
This politics bai.
Politics is no child's play.
Does Mark have a number where people can contact his campaign headquarters to make a donation ?
Mark does not need charity. And he certainly doesn't need it from scum like you bai. He does fine for himself. I hear he has plenty friends in Washington.
Suddenly racist yugi got a black man as fren, he is now sniffing out a black man's batty just because he thinks it will help his crooked PPP party...hahahahahahahahaha
Divide and Rule.
Divide and Rule.
You're not white. You're not British. You're not smart. You're not clever.
You're just a little man with delusions of grandeur by a wannabe association with those in power 
Divide and Rule.
You're not white. You're not British. You're not smart. You're not clever.
You're just a little man with delusions of grandeur by a wannabe association with those in power
And you are a political reject. Ha Ha !
Divide and Rule.
You're not white. You're not British. You're not smart. You're not clever.
You're just a little man with delusions of grandeur by a wannabe association with those in power
And you are a political reject. Ha Ha !
Even as a reject, I will still have an epitaph as an "almost" rather than a "yugi who?"
Divide and Rule.
You're not white. You're not British. You're not smart. You're not clever.
You're just a little man with delusions of grandeur by a wannabe association with those in power
And you are a political reject. Ha Ha !
Why is "smart and clever' associated with "white and British" people only?
Divide and Rule.
You're not white. You're not British. You're not smart. You're not clever.
You're just a little man with delusions of grandeur by a wannabe association with those in power
And you are a political reject. Ha Ha !
Even as a reject, I will still have an epitaph as an "almost" rather than a "yugi who?"
Yuji will not have an epitaph. He will choose cremation as a true hindu.
Divide and Rule.
You're not white. You're not British. You're not smart. You're not clever.
You're just a little man with delusions of grandeur by a wannabe association with those in power
And you are a political reject. Ha Ha !
Even as a reject, I will still have an epitaph as an "almost" rather than a "yugi who?"
Yuji will not have an epitaph. He will choose cremation as a true hindu.
Yugi is not a Hindu. He follows a cult.
Mark Benschop has PPP roots and also Richmond Hill, Queens, lineage
Mark is a good guy. Bad timing though. This coalition will sweep him away.
OK. Mark seems to be helping some people in Guyana. Apparently, he will support you if you need him.
However, I do remember the video footage of him leading the invasion of OP, but he was pardoned for treason. If he had done that in the US, he will not survive security.
He needs to share blame for the death of those 2 people.
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
This is a dilemma indeed. I want to see Mark in Parliament but we also need to get the PPP out. I think you make a good point. After APNU and the AFC work their deal out, they should invite Mark and grant him a guaranteed spot on the List for entry into Parliament.
And Mark should accept on the condition that he remains his own man.
Not a bad idea. But as Kari said Mark is old time PPp, suppose Rohee make him a deal.
Mark can swing anyway.
Mark Benschop's decision to contest the elections independently will not find favour with the AFC and APNU, as he will be chipping away some crucial votes needed for a majority.
AFC and APNU should invite Benschop to join them.
This is a dilemma indeed. I want to see Mark in Parliament but we also need to get the PPP out. I think you make a good point. After APNU and the AFC work their deal out, they should invite Mark and grant him a guaranteed spot on the List for entry into Parliament.
And Mark should accept on the condition that he remains his own man.
Not a bad idea. But as Kari said Mark is old time PPp, suppose Rohee make him a deal.
Mark can swing anyway.
Mark repaying the PPP for the pardon.
I WILL NOT DOUBT THAT.
I WILL NOT DOUBT THAT.
Mark is Fip's nephew.
I WILL NOT DOUBT THAT.
Mark is Fip's nephew.
aLL OF THEM WILL GO TO JAIL.
Access to this requires a premium membership.