For those who have some understanding of the nature and workings of political parties, a few weeks ago we were treated to a quite extraordinary exchange between former speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon: clearly a case of “mouth open, story jump out.”
Their somewhat conflicting accounts sought to inform us how the hierarchy of the PPP felt and acted in relation to the government’s 2007 decision to withdraw advertisements from the Stabroek News (SN). However, my interest in the Ramkarran/Luncheon exchange is not focused on the actual withdrawal of advertisements but on the implications their responses hold for the organisation of political life and the general need for political reforms, as we go forward. This, and some related detours, will keep me occupied for the next few weeks.
That said, to add perspective, we need to remember that, though limited in scope and of a shorter duration, the