Dear Editor,
Elections are nigh in Britain. The main parties, Labour and Tories (Conservatives) are in fearful suspense since the aftermath may result in an hung parliament. The third party, the Liberal Democrats seem to be making huge headway and capturing the attention of the nation like never before. Personalities seem to take precedence over issues, and the nation is seriously scrutinising the leaders of the three parties.
David Cameron, the prime ministerial candidate for the Tories has shed his old Etonian image. He is riding a bicycle through the streets of London.
He is meeting with bus drivers and the man in the street almost every few days. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, dubbed the most boring and bland of them, has his picture spread across very large billboards sporting an award-winning smile which the nation has never seen before.
Last week, in an historic debate shown live to the nation, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg won the popularity ratings. Those three leaders stood side by side before millions, and had to sell themselves to the nation.
Mr Jagdeo will leave office without ever having had a debate with opposition leaders – or anyone, as a matter of fact. It is a travesty and an insult to the people of Guyana. So shall we see the presidential candidates debating each other live before the nation, come 2011? Freddie Kissoon hinted in one of his columns a few day ago that the election season may have been kick-started. We are more than a year away, but the nation is feeling the urgency. Like never before people are watching, talking, criticising. The exposure of corrupt practices in high places has begun. The people will judge. Leaders are frequenting the letter pages like never before, be it on trade union issues or party incompetence. Government officials are pleading for mercy to save the good names they never had. Editors are replying and balancing matters, right here on the pages where the ordinary people can express themselves.
If the election season is indeed on the roll, the Alliance For Change has taken centre stage. Can they keep up the momentum? We indeed need to have local government elections. Whatever reforms have to be put in place must be done now. They have made the call. What next? Will the government care to reply and if they do not, what will be the centre stage party plan of action? The AFC seems to have the support of the independent minded, and they are dealing with criticisms in a mature and responsible way.
The People’s Progressive Party supporters must now follow suit. Can we play that Sam Cooke, song, ‘Change is gonna come’?
I have no problems with Big Tent, shared governance, part governance, etc. I do not care who wins. My interest is in who loses. My focus is seeing the renaissance. Human suffering is what I am interested in; the trampled rights of the voiceless; the children who are left parent-less by the slaughter at Lusignan and Bartica and who may never find the truth of what really happened; the university youngsters who cannot afford to find money to travel to and fro; the silencing through fear of those who would like to speak out but are afraid of losing their jobs, etc; the purging of a corrupt police force.
I would like to see the basic needs of those who never had provided for – clean water, food, clothing and shelter. I would like to see our children’s laughter again in a country free from abuse. I can feel it coming. Can you?
Yours faithfully,
Norman Browne
