Dear Editor,
There is an emerging view in some quarters and social media, disputable as it may be, that were elections to be held tomorrow in Guyana the APNU+AFC coalition would crumble and fall. What will replace it is not discernible at this point in time, though the PPP is positioning itself to do so. Suffice it to say, while this is merely a view, it should be borne in mind that perception and reality are two sides of the same coin. Whether the AFC will continue to dance to the tune ‘Stick by Me’ with its coalition partner in the months ahead will be determined by coming events which, incidentally, have already began to cast their shadows.
Come 2018 all three parliamentary political parties namely, the PNC, the AFC and the PPP would have to make serious political decisions that will determine their electoral fortunes or misfortunes, or worse yet, their future existence or non-existence in the political landscape of Guyana.
From all indications, the PPP since its 31st Congress has already begun orienting itself towards 2020. Bright electoral prospects are opening up for the PPP though, for it to be successful, a lot will depend on how the current leadership reads the tea leaves and acts in conformity with those readings tactically and strategically. Henry B Jeffery drew attention to certain hypothetical electoral scenarios in his ‘Future Notes’ of Feb 7, albeit from a somewhat jaded perspective.
Facing a barrage of cries of ‘too little too late’ in the wake of mounting protests against parking meters in the city of Georgetown, the more politically enlightened elements in the AFC are slowly coming to their senses in realizing that if they do not wrest themselves free of the Procrustean bed in which they have found themselves with the PNC, remaining there will surely be their nemesis. Whether they will contest future elections alone or in alliance with another political force is left to be seen.
As for the PNC, they, together with the other smaller parties in the APNU, are likely to become discredited and a spent force. The novelty in them assuming the form of APNU has long expired and is in tatters. And due mainly to their anti-people track record in government, they no longer inspire or motivate those who voted for them in 2015.
In this situation, the question arises whether a Third Force is likely either in the form of a new pre-election coalition or of something else that will threaten the electoral fortunes of the traditional parties. This appears to be a recurring political phenomenon in the Guyanese body politic that warrants serious consideration.
The emergence of the Movement against Parking Meters (MAPM), with primarily urban mass support, has caught the imagination of thousands from all walks of life. It has rejected the ‘Johnny come lately’ offer by government and continues to advocate for the total scrapping of the project.
But there is something fishy about the whole thing. Complicity between central government and City Hall cannot be ruled out and it is, perhaps, for this reason the parking meter project is not being scrapped. Government’s hands are tied because it gave City Hall the green light to proceed with the project. It does not want now to go back on its commitment to a project in which millions have already been invested.
The repeated claims by government that “City Council is an independent body whose work they must not be seen to be interfering with,” reeks with duplicity and deception. Guyanese know better. And in any event, they have already cast the government in an untrustworthy light. Questions are being asked how is it that government, after giving its blessings to the project at cabinet level has only now, because of the protests, concluded that: 1) government is not satisfied with the provisions of the project; 2) that the cost is too burdensome; and 3) that certain categories of workers should have been exempt. How come these commonsense matters did not, proprio vigore, dawn on the so-called wise men and women sitting in cabinet?
Or is it that the tangled web they wove stating that: 1) the city is in need of revenue; 2) the parking meters are a legitimate means of raising revenue to run the affairs of the city; and 3) that parking meters would help reduce the congestion and provide for a more organized parking system, never took into consideration the sensitivities of those who will be affected?
Are we to understand that had there not been protests these travesties would have been passed off as unavoidable contractual ‘conditionalities’?
After just two years in government the political tide is slowly but surely turning against the APNU+AFC coalition administration because of a fasciculus of policies that are a heavy burden for Guyanese taxpayers in general and for a new generation of young professionals in particular. The unnecessary punishment meted out to the business community and the lack of hope in the future for farmers and sugar workers must also be taken into account.
Coalition politics, particularly those of a fragile nature like the ones peculiar to the APNU+AFC are fraught with internal difficulties exemplified by personal ambition, political expediency, struggles for personal power, influence peddling and yearning for a greater share and influence in government. Some in the APNU+AFC coalition sought high office perhaps, for purely private reasons, including personal vanity and a political career. After almost two years in office, the coalition has found itself in a quandary. Guyanese from all walks of life, including their own supporters, are complaining bitterly about being left out and marginalized from the decision-making process on matters directly related to their livelihoods. They are constantly being called upon by government to make more and more sacrifices at a time when the economy is in the doldrums.
The outpouring of citizens in their hundreds on Regent Street and their cri de coeur for the abandonment of the parking meter project won the overwhelming support and admiration of hundreds of thousands of Guyanese. It is a manifestation of their utter disdain towards government.
Two impressive placards screaming: “Parking meters weighing down our already sinking economy,” and “Parking meters will make us more intaxicated” stood out for their political significance and demonstrated that many among the protestors were politically conscious and motivated.
In the social sciences, such developments are considered an important element of the subjective factor that is necessary to bring about change in society. The indications are that the subjective factor is maturing in Guyana. This is manifested in mass mobilization and organization of the people, growing contradictions in the ruling elite and shifts from democracy to dictatorship. The maturing of the subjective conditions when combined with the objective factor viz, the deceleration of the economy, depletion of foreign investments and the fall in output by the productive sectors indicate that social conditions are ripening for change in Guyana. This was precisely the stage Guyana was at in the run-up to the 1992 elections.
The struggle must therefore continue, and vigilance by the people and their leaders who seek change must be their watchword.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J Rohee
