Dear Editor,
Well, the second shoe dropped, and all the suspense on the date of the next elections is gone. May 11, 2015, a day of hope. It is now up to the Guyanese populace to decide who will be in charge of our 49th independence anniversary, and ultimately, our 50th in 2016. This is entirely in their hands. Foreign Guyanese can only support them morally and financially because ultimately foreign Guyanese long to re-migrate to a stable homeland. So we all must depend on local Guyanese to make the right decision.
I am forced to reflect on 1966. I was eleven years old. At a tender age, I was forced to be aware of the influence of politics. I witnessed the racial harmony in my community change into a monster. So, after experiencing the racial conflict of the sixties and after listening to the rhetoric of what self-governance can bring, I was hopeful. Two out of the three major parties of those days had their chance at fulfilling that reality. Both have failed miserably. Do we the people continue to stick with the same old or do we look elsewhere for our deliverance? That is the question Guyanese must answer in the following few months.
The impression I got from my visit to Guyana late last year is that the racial monster has weakened tremendously. I suspect that even traditional supporters of the party in government are appalled at the excesses – the negative balance of power in the timber industry was an eye-opener – and they do not envision a change of policy with fresh authority to the party. The traditional supporters of the parties that make up APNU watched in horror as their party’s hope crashed and burned with the leadership handling of representatives from Region 10 and the handling of the PNC’s last congress. Even those who love the leader do not think he is a leader.
I noticed a rising whisper encompassing the full spectrum of all parties’ supporters – AFC, AFC, AFC… Guyanese feel that to have a chance at change that party is the best possible option. Young and vibrant leadership mixed with some old experience. But, how can this small party hope to unseat a powerful and entrenched adversary? Coalition, they all say, and then answer their suggestion by immediately concluding that that will be playing into the adversary’s hands – a chance to deem the coalition as PNC.
I left Guyana with no one coming up with a way out of the Guyanese conundrum. Then, after getting over the jet lag and the tiredness associated with the number of connecting flights back to Texas I got onto the internet and there it was – AFC proposes to lead a pre-election alliance. Bingo.
This is not a coalition. It is about having all Guyanese and their preferred parties with the same goals working in unison, basically on the same page. It is not a situation like the PNC and UF coalition of 1964 to form a government, and then the PNC dropping the UF afterward. This cannot happen in this alliance. For one, the AFC is leading the alliance and must always be in control of the alliance. If the alliance is successful, it will be the AFC authority and right to lead and dictate the structure and make-up of parliament. I heard there are discussions with the APNU proceeding right now. The AFC cannot relinquish that authority and I know they will not.
Of importance to this new situation is something else that I noted while in Guyana. Too many persons have tuned out of the political realities. Even in the midst of a prorogued Parliament it is hard to tell in the streets. Too many people have seen so many hardships that they do not expect anything better from anyone or party and have simply resigned themselves to battling for their daily existence. Ramja-who? Naga-who? Dem people trying fuh get in and if and wen deh get in is de same thing all ova again. Friends an’ family. Look, leh me res miself yeh. Look, dem people flood we land and even Grainja na put he foot hey. Me tell yuh, me ain’t gat time wid dem politicians. Dey all fuh dem self.
That is a real mindset. If it is allowed to persist and these people remain home, the alliance is lost. So, as the opposition parties sit and negotiate a way forward, I would like to make a suggestion. It is the way I would handle the situation and the ticket I would take to the Guyanese people on 11th of May.
Right off the bat, with the foregone conclusion that Nagamootoo will be the presidential candidate, a female from the APNU side should be the prime ministerial candidate. Not Mr Granger, or any of his close executives. There are two females I have in mind – Madam Clarissa Riehl or Dr Faith Harding, in that order. Any one of these ladies will stimulate the females, who, by the way, are the ones carrying the workload in Guyana right now. The females are doing the heavy lifting while the men sit in rum shops looking for or spending easy money. Wake up the women, and you have a campaign.
I think that should be the framework of the discussion – Nagamootoo and a female. I know it will be tough for Mr Nigel Hughes giving up his position, but I think it is one of the sacrifices of the bigger picture and the fact that AFC cannot do it alone. That leaves Mr Hughes with Attorney General potential and Mr Granger fitting into a Home Affairs Minister slot in my proposal. Mr Carl Greenidge should be considered in a new cabinet but not for Finance Minister, not because of inability but rather past baggage in that position.
Also of importance to the AFC is that they ensure the three APNU rejects in Region 10 are brought into the picture. It is important to consider their influence in that region. They are young, vibrant people, and I am sure they can fit into the AFC’s mould.
This is the least I can do and hope that the best for the Guyanese people prevails come May 11.
Yours faithfully,
F Skinner
