Dismissing the leaking of an internal email as mischievous, the Alliance for Change (AFC) yesterday denied that its leader Raphael Trotman in the correspondence, expressed dissatisfaction with the coalition government.
The party issued a press release following the publication of an article headlined ‘Trotman’s e-mail shows AFC contemplated blackmailing the govt’ in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News. The statement, which did not make a single reference to the newspaper, preceded the party’s release of the entire email which was sent to AFC members on the eve of the local government elections.
Stabroek News reached out to Trotman at Parliament yesterday but he declined to comment on the matter.
In its press release, the AFC acknowledged that the email was an internally generated correspondence to the AFC leadership as part of parliamentary preparation for the 2019 budget exercise.
Trotman, in the email, said that he wanted to share his thoughts on the implications of the budget on the party.
“I believe that we urgently need to turn our attention to the 2019 Budget as grave decisions will be made during the week. Without sounding dramatic, these decisions will very likely affect the entire coalition and the AFC is now positioned to lead this process,” he said.
He expressed belief that the party had undoubtedly received a “bounce” from the local government campaign, and “the initiative is with us and must be acted on at once. I need not underscore that our coalition partner is in a weakened state and so whether deliberately or by default, the ball is in our court and has to be played.”
He expressed belief that the budget is the opportunity for the party to “make some gains” and in the circumstances, proposed that the party’s presence at Cabinet, and outside be used to advance a new agenda. “I propose further that we engage the WPA and even a few civil society groups as needed,” he proposed.
Trotman, in his email, outlined six issues that could be used to push the new agenda. “I respectfully suggest a few matters below that can be introduced into the discussion about AFC’s support for the budget. I stop short of saying that unless we get these items we should not support the budget, but do believe that we can push for them and should push as hard as we can,” he wrote.
The matters he suggested pertained to the development of a clear and time bound pathway to constitutional reforms that were agreed by the Special Select Committee of the 7th Parliament and urgent reforms to be agreed by December 2019; the urgent formalisation and finalisation of a land tenure, immigration and local content policy which will guarantee all Guyanese citizens benefit from proceeds of petroleum and other natural resources; a social impact programme for sugar workers and displaced bauxite workers; a social contract with public servants, members of the disciplined forces and youth; settlement of the Amerindian Land titling issue and passage of reform legislation by the first quarter of 2019 that addresses the draconian sentencing legislation for marijuana convictions.
Cohesive
Trotman told the AFC members that in government, the party with the best intents, sought to operate as a single cohesive unit “when in fact we are not.”
“We are a coalition of disparate and diverse groups with a shared vision of national unity and a good life for all. Our greatest strength is in fact our diversity and we have not wielded it to its optimum. Nothing about the 2015 campaign, victory and formation of government was meant to be seen or function in orthodoxy. Attempting to govern in an orthodox manner has hindered us from making bold and transformative steps,” he said before stressing that the party still has time to make its mark.
“2019 is an auspicious year within which to shift gears. Not only because it is the year when petroleum production will commence, but just as importantly, it is the eve of the jubilee anniversary of our Republic,” he said before urging members to consider the matters he had raised, not only in terms of income and expenditure, but now with some “philosophical underpinnings.”
The AFC release pointed out that the email is a normal part of the party’s internal exchange, “as it should be in a dynamic democratic process which values discussion and the presentation of ideas in the development of our party platforms.” It added that in this regard, it is “relevant that this email was sent by our leader prior to Local Government Elections and the presentation of the annual budget”.
Consequently, it said, the AFC is in full support of Trotman and his right to put forward progressive ideas for the consideration, approval and implementation of its members in general, and the parliamentary team in particular. In the release, the party insisted that the content of the email detailed its focus and priority for the future of Guyana, particularly the imperatives for the 2019 budget cycle.
“Contrary to media interpretation, and a mischievous attempt to weaponise the contents, the urging of our members to take control is not the same thing as the report suggesting a “coup” or dissatisfaction with the Coalition Government,” it said, adding that the internal communication was designed to encourage partners to be mindful of the urgency of the task ahead and to be prepared to lead Guyana’s development.
Meanwhile, executive member David Patterson while noting that the AFC encourages open and frank discussion, said that the leaking of the email was an act of wickedness
“The person that leaked it will have to live with his conscience. We obviously take as much safeguards as possible but …there are persons with ill intent. They don’t voice their opinions,” he said, before adding that he is unaware of the reason why the person who leaked it, did so at this point.
Patterson explained to reporters that at the time the email was sent, Trotman was abroad. Like the AFC statement, he said, the email pertained to budget issues and was sent when the draft budget was being prepared.
Noting that some of Trotman’s statements are being taken out of context, Patterson said that the persons who leaked the email is being “very mischievous” because they did not send the comments made to the email. He said that in the end, the party was pleased with the 2019 budget.
