Dear Editor,

I welcome the discussions between the PNCR and the AFC to form an alliance with other interested groups to contest the next general elections. However, I wish to caution all the parties concerned that in their discussions they must put Guyana first, all partisan ambition must be cast aside and the defeat of the PPP/C at the polls must take front burner. The people of Guyana want change and are prepared to vote for change, but they also want the best government they can possibly get.

The talks to form an alliance between all the opposition parties must be conducted in an atmosphere of seriousness. After these talks I would hope that the parties could come up with a consensus candidate to be the presidential candidate, a person of great integrity who would have served this country with distinction and honour and someone who would attract voters from all the races in Guyana.

It is time that our opposition parties give our people some hope, a hope that somewhere in the near future we would have a democratic government, a regime that is prepared to fight corruption and discrimination, a government that would govern for all the people of Guyana. It is my sincere hope that any new government would set about immediately changing our constitution following a referendum. Our system of government needs to be changed; we need to have an independent judiciary and a professional police force, while the army should take its rightful place in defending and protecting our borders. The public service should be depoliticized, every public servant should be a professional, our teachers and nurses need to be respected and our education system should be adjusted to meet the needs of every child so we can face the challenges of the 21st century. I have every confidence that our political leaders would want to put Guyana first, and they would unite to save Guyana.

Yours faithfully,
Clive Fredericks