The AFC is examining a new proposal for a “grand alliance” of compatible allies to contest next year’s elections that is premised on the idea that coming together is the only option for the country’s survival.
A working paper the party has been circulating, titled “the Pathway to Victory 2011,” argues for a grand alliance and sets out a framework to drive it forward. The paper proposes an alliance of political parties, civil society groups and individuals who have similar national goals and expectations. “Therefore, the alliance would be built by a coalition of compatible allies, resting on a strong programmatic platform,” it says, adding that each partner can identify and agree on collective critical issues to be addressed in the interest of the people, including “winning the election, and the necessary mechanisms for the implementation of agreed solutions and governance after the elections.”
The drive for a broad-based partnership has been spoken about increasingly in recent weeks, particularly following the triumph of the People’s Partnership – the opposition coalition which won a landslide victory in Trinidad and Tobago. Opposition parties have publicly stated interest in the prospect of a broad partnership to challenge the PPP/C next year.
The AFC’s National Executive met yesterday in order to review the party’s position on alliances. In principle, the party has said it welcomes alliances with like-minded political and civic forces to contest the upcoming general elections. At the same time, it has also stressed that the final decision on how it will move forward would have to be made through its internal democratic process.
Last week, a citizens’ group released a draft protocol intended to formalise a partnership. “…We are all united by our commitment to improve the standards of political behaviour, public dealings, social discourse, transparency and accountability,” said the members of the group behind the protocol, who are citizens that come from all races, genders, religions, classes and wage groups. The members include some members of political parties. “We recognize that this task requires commitment to the virtues of honesty, hard work, thrift, sacrifice, fairness and life-long learning as the only pathway to excellence in personal performance and success of our country,” they added.
‘Transformative agenda’
According to the AFC working paper, a grand alliance of equals is needed to establish a transformative government, with a new and clearly defined dispensation to bring positive change and unrestricted opportunities to contribute to nation building. Further, it adds that recent developments in the region and in Europe point the way to the possibilities that can be yielded from the “mature and pragmatic fashioning of a political arrangement,” among like minded parties and civic leaders. It is envisaged that such an arrangement would put the interest of the development of the country first while preserving the unique identity of the participating parties.
Some AFC leaders have expressed concern about the party losing its identity in an alliance.
The paper notes the challenge of a grand alliance and the effective working of a coalition is how to maintain the individual identity and core principles. However, it says acting in the best interest of the nation and its people an alliance is achievable. According to the paper, such an alliance must be driven by fundamental imperatives and realities. Among these is “the acceptance, appreciation and willingness” on the part of like-minded individuals and interest groups “that coming together is the only option for Guyana survival.” Further, it notes that the constitution does not provide for post-election alliances or coalitions as well as the fact that the party with the largest bloc of votes wins the presidency and the right to form the new government. Additionally, it says that a two-thirds majority would be needed to bring about constitutional changes necessary in a post-election period.
The paper emphasises that an alliance must agree to a basic political platform with a menu of policies, clear objectives and targets to be achieved during the first 120 days and into the first term in office. Among the common principles it proposes are: governance and constitution reforms; implementation of a viable economic model for sustainable development; measures for strengthening the public safety, security and justice systems; improving social justice and socio-economic reform, including tax system overhaul; education reform; and a code of conduct for parties during campaigning and while in government.
Once the principles are agreed upon, it identifies the next step as the development of a substantive accord that includes political parties, members of civil society, interest groups, organisations and patriotic individuals. It adds that the protocols for the alliance’s rules of engagement, policy framework, working relationship, mechanisms for addressing internal issues, and funding principles, among other issues, have to be carefully agreed, to ensure all parties are absolutely clear about what they have signed on to and their respective responsibilities. It adds that the accord should be in effect at least six months before the next general elections and that a manifesto be developed and agreed in preparation for national release within an agreed timeframe for the elections. In June, the AFC engaged Barbadian strategist Hartley Henry to brief local opposition leaders on the negotiations of the pact that led to the formation of the People’s Partnership. Prior to going to polls, the People’s Partnership coalition publicly signed on to a unity accord. In addition to identifying Kamla Persad-Bissessar as the leader of the movement and its prime ministerial candidate, the accord also committed the partners to placing the interest of the country before party and individual self-interest. As a government comprising the partners, they also committed to implementing a public policy programme to improve the quality of life of the people of Trinidad and Tobago based on shared principles of national development and national unity. They also established collaborative teams, a common platform for sharing a common public policy programme and agreed to establish mechanisms for the achievement of consensus. Further, they agreed to abide with the constitution and laws and to propose legislative changes as are necessary to give effect to the will of the people.
Already, the main opposition PNCR has stated that it is committed to develop a working understanding with any individual or entity willing to negotiate in good faith on a platform to transform the country. Party leader Robert Corbin has also said he is not interested in leading the coalition and that while the PNCR is committed to taking a leading role, it would not play a domineering role or insist that one of its members be the presidential candidate for the group. The WPA, meanwhile, has said it would participate in a search for a coalition without pre-conditions, but would insist on certain principles. It explained that “parties and individuals should not use the coalition to advance their own or their party’s agenda above the need of the country.” Further, it said no party or parties, however strong, should act in a “hegemonic or opportunistic” manner. “We insist that the process be driven by a commitment to transparency, accountability and respect,” it said. On the possible leadership of the coalition, the WPA said it would insist that the issue be handled with utmost care and that in the long run its composition should be dictated by the challenges of the current situation.
Unity Party leader Joey Jagan has also suggested a model similar to the Trinidad accord, calling for a document “which is public and signed, sealed and delivered to the citizens of Guyana with a commitment from each member of such a coalition to abide, to the last breath, by what they signed.” He has proposed a 15-point agreement on a common cause, including the abolition of the executive presidency in favour of a prime minister as head of government; constitutional and election reform aimed at producing a more representative system; decentralisation of the central government with much more power and fluidity to an accountable local government; police reform; the scrapping of the VAT; and a programme to encourage remigration of Guyanese from the Diaspora as well as an influx of migrants to increase capacity for production and export.
