Dear Editor,
I would like to agree with Dr Richard Van West-Charles who openly endorsed Mr Winston Murray as the most competent person to lead the PNCR into the future (Sunday Stabroek, August 29).  Mr Murray is an esteemed gentleman, qualified both academically and politically who is quite capable of taking over the reins of leadership of the PNCR.

It is indeed a pity that Mr Murray was not afforded the leadership earlier, so that he could have commenced the necessary repair to the disorganized and uninspiring political image of the PNCR. As we rapidly approach election 2011, I sincerely hope that the members of the PNCR recognize that the sooner they can correct their leadership issues and actively demonstrate widespread unity within their ranks, the better the chance they will have at securing the respect and votes of the electorate.

Let me say that my support for Mr Murray does not come because he embodies the attributes of a maximum leader who can command the masses into obedience. It is because he is a highly principled individual who has demonstrated that he is not afraid to embrace the consequences of his ideological stance on political issues. He also surrounds himself with very influential and reputable people who (if they work together) can be an unstoppable force.

The leadership of the PNCR ought to be institutional. Therefore, if Murray can be elected as leader, be allowed to select his winning team and they are given the necessary support, I am very confident that the image of the party will be positively changed resulting in it gaining a new lease on political life.

Political parties all over the world reinvent themselves so as to remain relevant. The PNCR is no exception. I strongly believe that with new, astute, transparent and principled leadership, some internal constitutional reform and a general revamp of its communication strategies, the PNCR can once again ascend the political ladder and truly command the respect it deserves.

I sincerely hope that when the time comes for the election of its presidential candidate and leader, that the PNCR will indeed see Mr Winston Murray as the key person to take the party into the future and give him their unremitting support.

As the framework for a meaningful coalition opposition movement continues to be built, I hope the PNCR will work assiduously at cleaning up its image, while continuing to engage constructively with the other parties and stakeholders interested in bringing about meaningful political change in Guyana at the next general election. A very good start to the restoration of the political image of the PNCR would be to begin with the election of a highly qualified and competent leadership team, one which is led by none other than Mr Winston Murray.

Yours faithfully,
Richard Francois