…at strongholds
Well, it’s all over, baby!! That is: the feverish excitement of the hustings, with the masses in their party-signalling, coloured T-Shirts screaming; balloons festooned across bright stages, and political leaders pumping them up (the people and the balloons!!) with promises of milk and honey. It’s done!! Your Eyewitness is speaking, of course, about the PPP, since the PNC could barely scrape together enough money to rent a canter to mount at street corners to harangue the passers-by in their strongholds.
But they had the last laugh…didn’t they?? The results show that while the PPP did make some gains, by and large, the PNC strongholds remained just that – PNC strongholds!! But the PPP knew that was gonna be the case, and that’s why the GS was emphasising the GAINS they’d make in the said strongholds. And they did gain!! Check every constituency and you’ll notice in every one of those strongholds, the PPP picked up votes where there was absolutely NONE before!!
The PPP’s playing the long game. They now have a core in those strongholds, from where they will expand their reach in the coming years. The oil revenue gonna be increasing from the stream it is now into a mighty Amazon in that time – so the wherewithal’s gonna be there to deliver the goods. Through those who stick with them!! While there’s gonna be no Damascene Conversion – think Saul on the way to Damascus! – the PPP expects to slowly wear down the resistance that has accreted over the decades since the 1950s.
And the PNC?? They’re gonna have to address their leadership conundrum and quit with the Hamletian “to be or not to be”!! They gotta BE – right now!! It’s just been demonstrated they have the base to work with – and that it’ll take a long time to wean that base away. 2025’s just around the corner, so they still have time to consolidate their base and mount a counter-offensive into the PPP’s base!! Do fuh do nah obeah!! Ain’t it so??
Now, dear reader, you might be saying that the PNC got nothing to offer – but that ain’t true. It’s been shown that when the incumbent’s using its access to largess to gain support – as many as who’re pleased will be those who’ll feel they ain’t getting enough. That’s how we humans think. If the PNC’s smart, they’ll quit with the foaming-at-the-mouth, fire-and-brimstone threats to PPP supporters and start courting the ones who feel aggrieved!!
The AFC showed it can be done – all it takes is a less pugnacious leader with an inclusive programme that stresses peace and security. Folks are smart enough to figure out that who owns the dog can call off the dog!!
…in anger
One of the challenges we face comes from those who want to keep the cauldron of hate bubbling among our people. Remember the three witches of Macbeth?? Like them, ever since the present Government finally took office in 2020 Aug, we’ve had their counterparts in Guyana fomenting darkness, chaos and conflict. Also, like in the play, they inveigled their way with the new leader of the Opposition to predict what’s ahead and what he should do.
Most insidiously, they promised he’ll be the President one day – if he does as they say. Which is to accuse the Government of creating an “apartheid state” that must be confronted violently. That planted the idea in the LoO’s mind. They knew it was already there, beneath the surface; all they were doing was bringing it to the surface, knowing he’d take the bait. They knew his weak point was his overreaching ambition.
And as they led Macbeth to his doom, that’s coming any day now, when the LoO will be replaced!!
…to the future
Democracy started in Guyana with Local Government that the ex-slaves established after forming the Village Movement. And it’s gonna be strengthened when the individuals within those same villages – now supporting the PPP – spread the word!!
