Ahead of a crucial contest for leadership today, incumbent PNCR leader Robert Corbin yesterday said the greatest challenge facing the party is providing effective national leadership and he defended the “militancy” of the party under his leadership.
Addressing delegates, members and special invitees including foreign dignitaries at the opening of the party’s 16th Biennial Congress, Corbin said that the main opposition party needs the support of other political parties and civil society in a united front. “…The greatest challenge for us is not who leads the PNC but how the [party] could give effective leadership to our country in this time of crisis,” he declared, while criticising those who he claimed spent “significant sums of money in the quest for leadership” that could have been channelled into party activities. In direct reference to the elections, he reiterated that it is evidence that a rich tradition of democracy is alive and well in the party.
The common thread of Corbin’s address was “No glory, without sacrifice,” and he emphasised the need for effective and committed leadership at levels of the party. In this regard he said there is much work to be done to implement recommendations to strengthen leadership. Further, he noted that the party has demonstrated the capacity to heal and bring people aboard, adding that it would be willing to welcome back all disaffected members into its ranks. He emphasised the need for unity and said personal ambitions and vendettas should not be allowed to prevent it to move together as a group. “Sure we will have differences, sure we will have election fights, that does not mean that we should be enemies, that is the nature of democracy,” he said, while noting that campaigning should not arouse “vilification, destruction of character and indulging in folly which could only damage the total party….” He emphasised that whatever happens, both he and his main challenger Winston Murray would still be members of the party. “…This is our party and we should be working for its developments,” he said, questioning the motives of “some people” who don’t succeed in election quests and challenge the process to explain their defeat and walk away from responsibility.
He added that deficiencies should not be exposed minute-by-minute in the public but that corrections must be made internally. “I urge comrades if our party is to be respected, if our members are to hold their heads high then we must develop a code of behaviour that thinks and demonstrates that we love the party at all times and always above our personal interests,” he added.
Corbin pointed to the grave national environment in which the congress is being held, citing the effects of the global financial crisis and the recent allegations linking the government to drug kingpin Roger Khan and the murderous activities of his group here. He said the party has used all tactics at its disposal within the law to promote its causes, including its recent push for an international probe of government-Khan’s link, though many have failed to acknowledge its successes while the Bharrat Jagdeo administration has remained intransigent. He emphasised that the party has continued to be active in opposing the bad governance of the PPP/C administration, through its militancy in and out of the parliament. “Naturally, given the current harsh social and economic conditions and their impact on the quality of life of our citizens, there has been great impatience on their part for change,” he said, “Consequently, they expect the PNCR to do more and if there is no improvement it is the PNCR and more particularly its leader that becomes the subject of criticism.”
He said it was an understandable reaction since many fail to appreciate the party’s struggle is aimed at specific objectives, and would require long-term struggle by all and not just the PNCR and its supporters. He added that it is an illusion to believe that street protests alone could bring success in every case, citing shared governance as an example of one such case. He said while many believed that it could be achieved through simple negotiations with the PPP/C accompanied by agitation, it would not since the governing party is unwilling to release power unless forced by circumstances. “We must always allow constructive thought to guide us,” he said, while defending the party’s and his leadership from criticism of its lack of militancy. “Street marches and demonstrations are not the only indications of militancy and even the marches have specific objectives and goals,” he explained, adding that party leaders must not engage in raising wide and high expectations to achieve popularity. The struggle to end apartheid in South Africa took decades, he said, adding goals could not be achieved instantly. Additionally, he said raising people’s expectations is a recipe for disaster, noting that a “pyrrhic” victory would be short-lived and an obstacle to the overall cause.
Militancy
In addition to understanding the party’s actions, Corbin highlighted party founder Forbes Burnham’s call for militant but intelligent opposition during the colonial period, which warned against sensationalism. “For those who have been saying the PNC has been soft, they need be reminded that every action of ours had a specific purpose and goal,” he said, noting that the party’s street marches have continually yielded positive results, including bringing a halt to extra-judicial killings, the inquiry into the alleged involvement of former Home Minister in unlawful killings as well as the capture of Roger Khan.
Corbin said too that the party’s analysis has found that massive street protests, in the context of pending elections, were counterproductive, especially in light of the polarised voting patterns in the country. He said they facilitated the infiltration of PPP/C agent provocateurs who created chaos, leading to injury of persons of East Indian descent which the governing party used to galvanise its support base. “Whether the strategy was successful or not is not the issue,” Corbin noted, “The fact that our decision to regulate the way in which we operated on the streets was a carefully and well thought out decision was not any weakness or lack of militancy.” He added that the business community and civil society which “begged” for the party to go back to parliament in lieu of protests, have now realised they were wrong in light of the non performance of the government and the effects of escalated crime. “They have forgotten their earlier urgings and they now blame what they call ineffective opposition and lack of militancy,” he said. “What many of them really want is for the PNCR’s foot-soldiers to confront and threaten this administration for them to extract better conditions yet they neither join us nor provide material support to sustain us when we are on the streets,” he said to applause, criticising “arm-chair generals” and “internet generals” who have no practical experience, little understanding of local conditions and lack the willingness to investigate. “For many, it is safe to shelter on the internet highway with lofty ideals but without the will or courage to join us on the frontlines or even contribute in any small way to the struggle that we are waging,” he added. He noted that the party would continue to engage in street protests on its own terms and not to satisfy narrow special agendas. “Let it be clear, however, that successes will not be achieved by the PNCR supporters only in the frontlines,” he said, “Political, parties, Guyanese organisations, civil society and some of those arm chair generals must all be involved to build a might force of unity for one Guyana.”
‘I apologise’
Corbin also said that in keeping with a decision at the last congress, the party’s work in and out of the parliament has been complemented by the development of constructive activities to deal with the economic and social issues affecting citizens. He cited party outreaches, self empowerment projects and community literacy programmes. According to him, it has been a failure to properly publicise the party’s work that has contributed to “the usual criticism” that the party is doing nothing.
However, he did admit that the decisions of the last congress have not all been implemented, citing in particular decisions aimed at retooling the party, including making an orderly transition to a new corps of leadership. He had said at the last Congress that it was his aspiration to have a new team of leadership cadres identified and to hand over to them while continuing to give support. “We need to evaluate why some of things were not done,” he said, while adding, “Ultimately as leader of the party I must accept and bear full responsibility for which I apologise to our comrades who were engaged in those lofty decisions.”
Nevertheless, he expressed the hope that the congress would see vital decisions towards implementation rather than engage in activities counterproductive to the development of the party. “Unfortunately, our failure to implement those decisions to prepare the right wicket to allow the party to go forward has forced many of us to still be involved in doing what we would not be able… or had to do,” he said.
Noting predictions that it could be his last Congress address as leader, greeted with rousing shouts of “No!” Corbin paid tribute to party stalwarts who worked quietly without official rewards. He said they stood up on the frontlines and worked hard for the party, despite ridicule as well as without monetary or any other compensation, in what seemed a direct appeal to grass-root supporters.
As he made his entrance, Corbin received a frenzied welcome by supporters, largely made up of women, who lined up on the road outside Congress Place holding his posters. He was accompanied by Tassa drummers, youth cadres and a group from the hinterland, which thronged him as he made his way to the auditorium area, where chants of “Our leader! Corbin!” reached a crescendo.
In stark contrast, Winston Murray’s was a low-key entrance. He and supporters were bussed into Congress Place by Stanley Ming, who the day earlier announced that he and former members of the party’s Reform component would return to support a Murray led-party. As the vehicles moved towards the auditorium, a supporter of Corbin continuously heckled Dr Richard Van West-Charles. Murray and Van West-Charles and their supporters all stood to greet Corbin at his arrival.
‘Win with Winston’
Meanwhile, Murray supporters circulated a letter with the slogan “Win with Winston” to party members prior to the opening, since arrangements did not permit him to address the delegates before the casting of ballots. In the letter, he emphasised that it is crucial that they use their vote wisely. “I beseech you to cast your vote for change that will provide a new and bright future for all of us, and, most important, for our country,” he wrote, adding later, “Comrades, the choice is clear. You can vote to stand still, business-as-usual and more of the same. Or you can vote for change and the dawning of a new day.
In asking for their support, Murray pledged to work with them to heal the divisions within the ranks as the first step in mending the fractures in the party’s internal relations. He explained that it was a task that demands the energies of all members, supporters and well-wishers. “I humbly ask your support so that together, we can begin this exciting work of building a new tomorrow,” he declared, while saying that, “We it owe it to this generation to bury the hopelessness and despair that has engulfed our citizens but now requires us to move forward to a future of bright promise.”
He further emphasised that a party that is dynamic, strong and full of purpose and energy can only be built by collective efforts. In this regard, he said the party’s task is not simply to challenge the government on its “sorry” performance but also to construct the foundations of a new politics of participation, involvement and accountability. He added that it requires a politics of high standards, professional performance, personal conduct and an integrity in public life that is driven by sincere commitment to serve every citizen of the country. “I urge you to vote for hope, not hopelessness!” Murray said, “Vote for politics of principle, high ideals, not manoeuvre and manipulation!”
The congress is being held under the theme, “People’s Victory Through Local Democracy,” which had anticipated the running off of local government elections this year. Polls would be held today and the party would be taking decision on the results of its leadership retreat as well as on proposals such as the holding of primaries for MPs
The party is grappling with months of internal rifts going back to the last congress with Team Alexander and more recently with the election for a Georgetown Chairman which saw Volda Lawrence ousting Aubrey Norton who later alleged that the elections had been rigged.