Dear Editor,
The evolving recognition of the need for coalition building within and among the political opposition in Guyana is welcome. I hold firm to the view that this goal is realizable, yet I hasten to add that the current modus operandi of the main opposition PNCR together with the recent pronouncement by the AFC of their unwillingness to enter a pre-election political arrangement that includes the PNCR and/or the PPP/C is unhelpful. I view the actions of both as an agenda which will energize the leadership and base support of the PPP/C.
Electioneering involves debate on the performance of those in government and that of the opposition which is attempting to get into government; it involves discussing and formulating policies, strategies and programming; it involves the mobilization and participation of people in Guyana, since it is the latter which will ultimately determine which group wins. Percentile analysis of 2006 general election results demonstrate significant shifts in the support commanded by the PNCR, while the PPP/C was able to maintain its base. Just ponder the source of the AFC votes and reflect on the conflicting sentiments shared by the young African proletariat and the coloured middle class during the ’06 campaign.
The level of voter participation was low, which would imply that apathy levels were high. It is also reasonable to conclude that given the excesses and failures of the PPP/C government and the continued disorganization of the combined opposition that apathy levels have either remained the same or have increased. By acknowledging and addressing its circumstances, the PNCR could be capable of leading a coalition of political parties and civil society groups to defeat the PPP/C. Otherwise the latter will remain on the throne of power.
Note is taken of the PNCR’s chairman’s call for unity during remarks made at the party’s commemorative observances for its Founder Leader, Forbes Burnham. During his presentation, he admonished his audience, particularly, the opponents of Robert Corbin to draw their inspiration from the lessons of the 1763 slave rebellion and the necessity of having one leader. I credit him for his recognition of the present disunity within the PNCR which continues to derail his party’s effort at leading a grand coalition against the incumbent PPP/C. The approach of the current PNCR leadership to internal unity, with their strategy of demonizing and chastising those who challenge Robert Corbin for office is self defeating. I also take issue with Ms Nestor’s comments on unity, many of which were either ill-conceived or lacking prudence. While every opportunity has been sought to paint those who have challenged Mr Corbin as the wrongdoers, careful analysis would prove that all sides including the pro-Corbin group committed ‘j2
wrongs.’ Therefore, better must be done to encourage genuine internal reconciliation in order to achieve mass mobilization and participation.
The PNCR must be aware that an important factor for participation is sentiment; the sentiments they presently provoke will further weaken the party and its support base. The PPP/C is well aware of this, hence their presence for the first time at the commemorative activity held at the Seven Ponds where the PPP/C government representative, Dr Luncheon, laid a floral tribute, and there was acknowledgment by the PNCR that the state had for the first time contributed to the restoration of the mausoleum through the National Trust of Guyana under the chairmanship of Dr James Rose. The cameras were there. I guess that on a later occasion the opposition will say that the people of this country cannot be fooled, but the footage will serve the PPP/C well. At minimum, they are in a position to advance to their supporters that they have consistently sought new and different approaches/opportunities for co-operation with the main opposition. They will rightly use this to augment their national appeal to the voters below age 35 in particular. Many electors below the age of 25 will be first-time voters who have no experience of another political party outside of the PPP/C in government. Therefore, if the PNCR and the others of the opposition continue to fail to arrest their decline amid increasing apathy, the non-PPP/C electors in this group will either gravitate to the PPP/C for survival or stay away from the ballot. In either scenario the PPP/C will benefit.
The PNCR must appreciate that sentiment impacts on a party’s performance in an election. The leadership must accept that a prime driver of sentiment is language, hence they must endeavour to speak responsibly. Language is a key variable for mobilizing mass support but the impact of this variable differs across groups. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that when the PPP/C shouts the chorus, “After 28 years of the PNC…” among their supporters, the impact is vastly
different when compared to the shouts of the PNCR to its supporters – “After 17
years of the PPP/C…” Also internally, the PNCR Corbinites need to find a workable chorus for reconciliation. The accusation of disunity cuts across all contenders of the past.
I encourage this group to pay greater attention to what can be accomplished and how. I suggest that rather than remaining in the accusatory mode, they pursue a new lexicon by speaking to the achievements of their efforts at reconciliation.
To do otherwise, is to court another defeat by the PPP/C. I caution that the current language employed by the present leadership will only cause further haemorrhaging from the party. Each time you lose one member/supporter, you risk losing between 4-5 votes. Each time you lose a member/activist you risk, 20-25 votes. I leave this for the attention of the leadership: To win the 2011 election their most important resource is people; apathy levels are already high.
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Hicks
