Dear Editor,
The PPP is laughing at us in the PNC while heaping scorn on our executives in the party. Before composing this article I ensured I reached out to many of our grassroots supporters, some known media personalities and other notable Guyanese in politics to have a feel of what they think with regards to the matter at hand. I have no concern with how the PPP feel about the inner happenings in our party, the PNCR. Nepotism and cronyism in the PPP is rife. The PPP pretend to elect its executive body but we know they are all there on a selection basis.
This writer’s intervention and involvement in seeing a new Leader of the PNCR was premised almost entirely on the decision of our grassroots supporters. It would have been impossible to break and discard the old guard in the party without activism being centred around the empowerment of our supporters to decide. Nothing else could be considered more of a democracy in that regard.
It is unacceptable for our party to be without an active General Secretary for four months. Amidst heavy rumours that the Leader has a stranglehold over the PNCR and runs it as if it his personal property (I don’t agree with the rumours), many, it is said, are afraid to speak out, advise or challenge the Leader. It is entirely the remit of the Leader to decide on who will be General Secretary but that doesn’t extend to his choice being in direct opposition to our grassroots supporters’ view of who would be most suitable for that important and critical position at this juncture. The Leader can decide to go against the will of our members and supporters but there may be far reaching repercussions and his electoral viability at the next Congress could be negatively affected.
I know for a fact that Geeta Chandan Edmond was pressured out of that position. I will not delve further to explain, (that remains an internal party issue). I know that any organisation of substance will have as its General Secretary someone that is independent minded, decisive, strong willed and known, respected and admired by members and supporters. Our supporters, media personalities and popular political commentators have said to me that the best choice for General Secretary of the PNCR will be Simona Broomes. I do not think our supporters and members will accept the Leader’s decision to make former minister of government, Dawn Hastings the new GS.
Democracy in the party requires that the Leader listen to our supporters, members and others who care and are concerned about the party’s welfare and success.
Broomes cannot be bullied or controlled by anyone. She has a proven track record in the party and is very popular not only among our supporters but also Guyanese in general. I know voices will be lifted in a rallying cry for her to assume the position of GS in our party. The PNCR will become a greater force to be reckoned with if she is GS.
I genuinely believe that Norton is being scrutinised by many with regard to the belief that he wants people he is comfortable with and can have complete leverage over. While Broomes will never fall into that bracket, the two will be pillars on which the PNCR will stand firmly on.
My personal political position is very clear here. Broomes for the GS of our great party, the PNCR.
Sincerely
Norman Browne
Social and Political Activist