The PPPC's Prime Ministerial candidate, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper addressing attendees at the annual commemorative ceremony for late Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan at Babu John, Port Mourant.

The People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPPC) prime ministerial candidate, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper  Sunday joined other senior party functionaries in eyeing the prospects of regaining majority control of the National Assembly at the upcoming polls.

“I believe in Guyana. I believe in service to Guyana and I wholeheartedly believe that, given the opportunity, I can work with President Ramotar in the next majority government, to contribute to increasing the potential of this great nation that we live in” she said.

The PPP endured a one-seat minority at the November 2011 general and regional elections which saw the combined opposition controlling 33 of the 65 seats in the House.

In her three-minute remarks at the commemorative event held at Babu John in honour of late Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan, the political novice credited the youths with boosting her on her arrival for the afternoon’s proceedings.

Notably absent from Harper’s remarks were the political mudslinging and caustic remarks by other speakers. Obviously striking a conciliatory chord, she said “I pledge myself to dedicate my energies to building Guyana to a more prosperous nation,”and urged the estimated 2,000 persons to help make Guyana a better place.  “I want to encourage all of you, everyone, to put Guyana first and let us work to build this beautiful land of ours,” she said.

A section of the gathering at the PPP's commemorative event in honour of late Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan.Before the official programme began, Harper drew applause when she arrived, stood before those seated and waved her hands to them. She was greeted by several party-faithful, including senior functionaries who made her feel comfortable in her first major political outing since she was last month identified as the PPPC’s prime ministerial candidate.

Harper, who officially demits office as Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the end of March, was among those who laid wreaths in memory of the Jagans.

The others included President Donald Ramotar, Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee.