Dear Editor,
With reference to the recent poll commissioned by your newspaper, I would like to take this opportunity to make a few comments. First of all, the hyperventilated verbosity of Frederick Kissoon is at work as usual when he questions the validity of the poll and attacks the pollster himself, Mr Bisram. Kissoon again shows his contempt for anyone who tries to help bring clarity to a very complicated political and social situation here in Guyana. Polling is a very important tool in any country in determining the mood and feel of the people concerning the issues facing them, and Mr Bisram should be congratulated in his pioneering efforts. Stabroek News should be proud to sponsor such polls and should continue such efforts.
However, Mr Bisram should not be touting his political ‘credentials’ with his series of letters which I see have been published and which dilute his polling credibility. Mr Bisram’s letters over the past months show him to be a person who is trying to let the reader know how connected he is to the Guyanese diaspora in New York while being a great ‘freedom fighter’ for democracy here in Guyana. Both of these claims have to be taken with a grain of salt, and his series of clashes with Freddie Kissoon in the letter section only underscores the point I am making.
The results of this latest poll show Mr Ralph Ramkarran to be the leading person in the PPP/Civic to become the nominee for President of Guyana, even with low numbers. This is great news for a fractured opposition and it hopefully will realize that the concept of a unified ‘big tent’ opposition is now the realistic way forward, especially with such a weak candidate as Ramkarran. Politics in Guyana has always brought leaders to the fore who were dynamic personalities with grass roots appeal, starting with Critchlow, and Ramkarran is certainly not that kind of leader. Politics in Guyana always brought forth leaders who were open and frank in their opinions, ideas and relationship with the ordinary people, and who were exciting and could galvanize the people, and Ramkarran is certainly not that kind of leader.
Politics in Guyana has to bring forward new leaders who can move us past the socialist/communist phase we still wallow in, and set us on a new course to make the private sector the real engine of growth, bring meaningful constitutional changes and reverse the marginalization of our poor citizens into second class legions, and Ramkarran is not that kind of leader.
In fact, even though Ralph is a very nice guy and might mean well, his advent to power will be catastrophic for this country as he is not about change in the many areas where it is required, especially in the building of a true democratic tradition. The very undemocratic selection process in the PPP sets the stage for Ramkarran to build support for his presidential aspirations, because he really does not have to campaign among the people as we see in other countries. Ramkarran is about old failed ideas and faded dreams; about discarded notions shaped by disjointed ambitions; about political creativity marginalized by boring socialist/communist jargon; about personal ambition defying the peoples’ will.
This is the reason that the ‘big tent’ united opposition is a possibility in the next general election because Ramkarran can be beaten. He would not have the same personal appeal of Mr Jagdeo; he would not have the same support on the ground as in 2006 because by 2011 the subjective and objective conditions will erode PPP/Civic support; his lack of any dynamism will leave him open to a ‘big tent’ dynamic candidate with new ideas for change in our country.
We in the opposition to this government have got to gauge the mood of the people of this country and I feel that the people might not be ready for marches, demonstrations or protests, but as in Barbados and Belize (no marches or demonstrations) they might be ready to vote out this government in the next election. Mr Ramkarran’s polling numbers are good news to those who want change, because he is the easiest to beat!
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
