PNCR leader Robert Corbin yesterday confirmed changes in the code of conduct for members as part of an effort to reposition the party in its service to the people.
The revised code of conduct and a pledge of membership were among the agreements approved by a PNCR General Council last Saturday, based on recommendations that were made at the party’s biennial congress last year. The General Council also agreed on a broad programme of work for the party until the end of the year as well as a provision to require Members of Parliament (MPs) to report regularly at its future meetings on their activities during the quarter.
At the party’s weekly press briefing yesterday, Corbin told reporters that the changes were far from earth-shaking, and simply designed to ensure that its representatives at all levels acquitted themselves with integrity and diligence, while ensuring that they do nothing to undermine the interest of the party in public. He added that the code of conduct was not a secret and after its insertion into the party’s constitution it would be made public.
Corbin also sought to correct the impression that the members of Vincent Alexander’s aborted campaign for leader were disciplined for seeking to challenge the party leadership. He called it a distortion and explained that the party did not release any official statement on disciplinary proceedings because it was an internal matter. He, however, made it clear that charges against some members were instituted because they displayed behaviour that was found to be inconsistent with good party membership.
The disciplinary committee suspended James McAllister and asked him to resign his position as an MP, while it referred a decision on Alexander to the Central Executive Committee (CEC).
The committee found that if Alexander fails to recognise the party leadership, the CEC should ask him to resign from all positions in which he represents the party. Other members of Alexander’s campaign, except former GYSM member Randy Nurse, were found guilty of breaching party rules and they were reprimanded. In reaching its decision, the committee concluded that there was “no evidence of malice but one of poor judgment” though it urged the members to avoid a recurrence, warning that the consequences would be treated seriously in the future. Other members of Alexander’s campaign included MP Deborah Backer, Ivor Allen, Hamley Case, former GYSM Chairman Chiyedza James and former GYSM executive members Peter Livingstone and Juliana Gaul. Nurse had been previously asked to apologise to a colleague for alleged racist remarks and was suspended for a year from the party. He did not apologise and has not renewed his membership.
The disciplinary action was in keeping with a motion passed at the party’s biennial congress impugning them for misconduct. The substance of the motion was “an expression of lack of confidence” in them for actions incompatible with party membership. The charges ranged from theft by one person to speaking with the media by the majority. The offences, the committee said, were committed in direct contravention of guidance given by the party leadership.
Corbin added that the decision on McAllister was not solely based on his public conduct during the campaign. He said there were several other matters that concerned McAllister and that several recommendations were made in this regard. He would not go into details on Alexander’s status and whether the party would seek to relieve him of his duties as a representative on the Local Government Reform Task Force. Alexander has said that he offered to resign from the task force but got no response from the party. Corbin said that he had so far refrained from commenting on the issue, adding that he himself was responsible for Alexander’s appointment to the task force.
The General Council is the party’s highest forum outside of its congress and it meets quarterly to review the party’s programme and determine plans and strategies. Thandi McAllister, National Executive Member of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement said yesterday that the meeting on Saturday, chaired by PNCR Vice-Chairpersons Basil Williams and Volda Lawrence, drew participation from all ten regions.
Corbin in his address to the Council, titled, “Getting Back on Track – Making the Party Fit for Purpose,” looked at the need for the party to stay focused on its agenda. McAllister said Corbin told members to reflect on the broad policy and programme directions of the last congress, which formed the basis of the party’s work until 2009. She said he urged members not to be distracted by those who, in pursuit of their selfish agendas, felt that they had suddenly earned the right to dictate the programme of the PNCR. He also reminded the Council that it was the PNCR and its members who must analyse the circumstances and determine what is in its best interests.
“We must be focused and know that public enemy number one is the Jagdeo administration,” he said, when asked how the party went off track. He added that the persistent talk of a possible PPP/C-PNCR collaboration to secure a third term for President Bharrat Jagdeo were among the distractions he spoke about at the meeting. “In fairness to Jagdeo, he has never raise the issued with me, either privately or publicly,” he said. He added that PPP/C has not had discussions with the PNCR at any level on the issue. Corbin said even if it were raised it was not a matter that the party would consider and he hoped that would settle the discussions about it.
The final meeting of the party’s General Council for the year will be held in December.
