Dear Editor,
The fact that the PNCR is investigating a claim of dead persons on the membership register seems to indicate that it continues to fail its supporters by not having long overdue group meetings. As a party that was in government for twenty-eight years, much more could have been done to keep its supporters and constituency together. It should have been able to ensure that during the distribution and allocation of lands, their supporters would have been able to see them as having successfully fought their causes. This is just one example of not dealing with the fundamentals. All of this could have come about because in the past the party has been struggling with many fractures.
The PNCR suffered because some of the nominees for the leadership did it harm in the past through defections, desertion, and public criticism, to name a few. No one who falls into the above categories should be given the authority to lead a party that it has put it in its present dilemma. Say what you may about Mr Robert Corbin, he is a member of the party faithful. He stayed with the party in and out of office during the leadership and presidencies of the late LFS Burnham and HD Hoyte. The same must be said about Winston S Murray and Oscar E Clarke.
These gentlemen would have had different views from their leaders and others in the hierarchy of the party from time to time, but surely they never defected, deserted, or discussed party affairs in public.
I am a supporter of the party and would like to see those who have run back to the party to show just cause for their actions. Of the nominees for the leadership, Mr Basil Williams defected to the Good and Green Guyana Party under Hoyte’s stewardship, yet returned and not only supported Desmond Hoyte, but sung his praises. This would have hurt the party then and even now. Will someone tell me which other political party in Guyana and the region would support to such a hopeful? The PPP have never allowed this and this is why they have built strength.
Drs Armstrong and Van West Charles have not been living in Guyana for some time so the people cannot relate to them and their struggles either in the Parliament, on television or moreso in the streets.
Mr Aubrey Norton is always in a truculent mood and has had problems with the party leadership in the past. Are the memories of party faithful so short as not to remember his turbulent stewardship as General Secretary? He never gave his full support to Hoyte and could not see that he was damaging the party. More recently, he and the present leader and executive have been at loggerheads. The party candidates have better to choose from.
Mr Winston S Murray has been with the party in and out of season. He was a diligent worker and supporter of both former Presidents Burnham and Hoyte. One might say he should not have acted so rashly in resigning as Chairman of the party. Of course he must be faulted for putting his personal pride before the party and by so doing has the present leadership in a precarious position, should the holder not be able to perform his duties. However, he is a suitable person and it may well be a good thing for the PNCR if there is a tie between Corbin and him. In those circumstances they will be joint leaders and one will be the presidential candidate, whereas the other will carry out the functions of leader of the party on winning the next elections. I urge those who will vote to do so wisely.
Yours faithfully,
Abiola Walcott
