Recent statements made by PNCR Chair Minister Volda Lawrence, encouraging practices of nepotism, and for which she has been publicly condemned, have resulted in the further fragmentation of the coalition government, WPA member Desmond Trotman says on behalf of the party.
Trotman, an Executive Member of the Working Peoples Alliance, in a letter published yesterday, outlined the party position on the matter, stating that “unless serious attempts are made to resolve the political discrepancies that have been allowed to grow and manifest themselves in ways that are detrimental”, the fracture would continue to develop.
In Saturday’s letter, Trotman stated that the WPA, a member party of the APNU and the coalition government, “demands a more inspiring leadership from the senior party in the APNU and the Coalition.” “One that is consistent with our Manifesto’s commitments to the Guyanese people. And is reflective of a political leadership that is mindful of winning the 2020 General and Regional Elections,” it added.
“We note the virtual silence of the Minister’s party on the matter, which suggests the PNCR seems unable to demonstrate the necessary leadership initiative consistent with a party that wastes no time in proclaiming its paramount importance and its rights to political hegemony, but at the same time abrogating its responsibility to lead by example,” Trotman stated.
“We would be politically naïve not to infer the political message inherent in these statements. While not contesting the race factor in Minister Lawrence’s statements, more disturbing to the WPA is that the almost identical remarks have been uttered by African and Indian leaders of the PPP/C with no reprimand from its leader and Head of State,” he continued.
Trotman’s letter came at quite a significant time, as just the day prior, the life of the APNU+AFC government was brought to a sudden end, after APNU+AFC backbencher Charrandas Persaud voted in favour of a no-confidence motion brought by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
Notably, Persaud, speaking with media operatives afterward, had cited Lawrence’s comments as the driving force behind his decision, as he expressed that he was uncomfortable with the stance taken by the leader of his party on the matter.
“You take her statement… I am PNC my friends are PNC I will give wuk to PNC and then what did (AFC Leader Raphael) Trotman do as leader? I wrote to him and said we have to make a statement. What did Trotman do as leader of the AFC? He defended Volda Lawrence and then she apologized and Trotman looked as if he was just pissed on by Volda Lawrence and I am taking this as a member of the AFC because I have no say. What about AFC? For Volda it’s not about being Afro or Indian but about being PNC,” Persaud had stated on Friday.
He registered his concern that his party had become “yes men” to their APNU counterparts, to the detriment of their integrity, and said that while for the past three and a half years he has voted along party lines, on Friday, he cast a “conscience” vote.
Additionally, Persaud had claimed that Lawrence delivered threats to any parliamentarian who were to “cross the floor”. These allegations were denied by the minister.
Persaud has indicated his intention to resign not only from the AFC, but from politics in its entirety.
