Dear Editor,
Sometimes you read a letter in SN from a distinguished writer, and you feel compelled to respond, even if it is just to stimulate further discussion. Hydar Ally’s letter in SN June 17th on constitutional reform is one such letter.
Mr Ally should know that there is a lot of blame to go around. Mainly his own party boss, Bharrat Jagdeo, did not want constitutional reform. Mr Jagdeo told a public meeting in New York (Naressa Palace) that Guyana has the most advanced constitution in the Caribbean, which comment drew a lot of derisive laughter. A month ago, a senior leader, Dr Anthony asked me, “What’s wrong with the constitution?”
In past years every PPP leader (including Cheddi Jagan) condemned the constitution when in opposition, but supported it once safely ensconced in power. Now that has changed. Mr Jagdeo is so enamoured with the constitution, he supports it ‒ both in and out of power.
The PPP took power in 2011 knowing full well it did not command as majority in Parliament, only to discover it could not govern three years down the road. This was yet another abbreviated term.
The constitution prohibits a coalition from being formed after an election, which is a time-tested, universal principle in all Westminster model constitutions. Even this vital principle that would have worked in the PPP’s favour, PPP leaders would not accept or agree on.
The PPP leaders lack a basic education in politics. Where did they get the idea that a small, third world society is an island on its own? The PPP believed it could alienate the ABC countries and that somehow it could still be master of its own destiny. This is a myth. All the top leaders believed this myth, hence the boast of Dr Luncheon: “We sent her to deliver a feral blast [on the US Ambassador]”.
The PPP believes it can project itself onto the population as an Indo-ethnic party and somehow it will be allowed to ‘govern’ a restive African population that predominates in the cities, army, police and most departments of the public service. The PPP’s internal political dynamic is bankrupt; it has no new ideas about governance in a largely bi-racial society.
Finally, Mr Ally should understand there is no point wasting time thrashing ourselves about the missed opportunities to do constitutional reform. His party, the PPP, did not support constitutional reform. And, anyway it is much too late now; that train has long left the station.
Now Guyana is at the crossroads. Oil begins to flow in year 2020; there are elections in 2020. Year 2020 is loaded with potentially lethal coincidences. The PPP blessed or cursed with star-crossed leaders must search to find its soul. No, not its soul – but how to do politics in a multi-racial society.
Yours faithfully,
Mike Persaud
