THE PPP’s THIRD GENERATION OF LEADERS
April 11, 2015 | By KNews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom, Source
The children of political leaders always have it the hardest. They are the ones who have to bear the brunt of political cynicism and insensitive and often cruel comment about their parents.
They also are under a great deal of pressure to conform to certain stereotypes that society has of them. These children are always under some form of scrutiny from the political nemeses of their parents. They are expected to be spotless citizens. They cannot be seen back-balling or peeing in public. The outcry would be deafening. Even when they have their own independent lives, any indiscretion can become political fodder against their parents.
Everyone suffers. I recall the son of a minister in the PNC government once being charged for an illegal act. The poor minister who had nothing to do with the illegal act was forced to step aside until the matter was determined in the court.
No wonder many of the descendants of political leaders shy away from politics. No wonder many of the children of political leaders have refused to follow in the footsteps of their parents. He who feels it knows it. And these children have felt the brunt of the hatred that others have of their parents.
It is not easy for the children of any political leader in Guyana to enter into party politics. They can expect a baptism of fire especially from certain media practitioners who, using social media, love to poke derisive sarcasm, ridicule and insinuations at these children.
We saw some of that this past week after it was announced that the children of some PPP leaders were part of the PPPC’s list of candidates for the May 11 General and Regional Elections.
Immediately after it was discovered that the names of some of the persons on the PPP’s list of candidates were children of PPP leaders and ex-leaders, the onslaught began. There were posts on social media about “all ah we ah one family”. Others have viewed this development as a sign of nepotistic and dynastic politics. Given such a reception, it requires great courage and conviction to do so in this country where social media can be extremely cruel.
I recall the funeral of Janet Jagan. After the official ceremony, the casket was taken to Freedom House. There a very moving scene took place. The grandchildren of the departed former President of Guyana held hands with the other party comrades and sang the party’s song. It was also revealed then that the grandchildren had joined the party.
That was a good sign for the PPP. It showed that the new generation of leaders was not shy to become involved in the party of their parents and grandparents. These descendants were willing to make that leap and to take up the cudgels of struggle and activism. That has to be a good thing.
Not everyone will see that dimension. But a deeper examination of the issue, a stepping aside and viewing it from a somewhat different angle would lead to different take, and one that is worthy of a deeper analysis.
On the one hand, the PPPC can now boast of a third generation of leaders emerging and emerging literally out of the bosom of the old guard. This is encouraging for the party because, despite the pressures that they would have been subjected to and that which they can expect, they have opted bravely to be part of the PPPC.
The fact that many of them are young persons is another encouraging sign. And even more encouraging is that almost all of the children of PPP leaders and ex- leaders who appeared on the party’s list are professionals in their own right. These are persons who are qualified and are practicing professionals.
This is a good start to the third generation politics of the PPP, especially given the party’s historical difficulty in attracting members of the professional and intellectual classes.
Obviously, the PPPC needs to do more to make inroads into these classes. Obviously, also it would have been nice to see more professionals on the list who have no familial ties to the PPP.
The PPP still obviously has an ingrained problem in trusting persons who are independent and not tied in some way to the party. The PPP has historically aligned itself with professionals whom it believes it can trust because of their links to the party and its leadership. Not all of these trustworthy persons have however demonstrated exceptional ability. There have been numerous disappointments and embarrassments.
This should have forced the party to look outside of its traditional catchment for talent. There is always a need for new blood in any political party.
While therefore it is encouraging that the PPP can draw from within its circle, qualified and competent professionals, the litmus test of broad-based leadership remains the extent to which the party can attract and work with persons who are politically independent.