Shared governance hindered by PNC-led APNU’s ‘racist agenda’ – Jagdeo

General Secretary of the governing Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that his party’s relationship with the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is drifting further apart as a result of the various postures taken by the Aubrey Norton-led grouping which do not pose well for inclusive governance and united leadership.
During a press conference at his party’s headquarter – Freedom House – on Thursday, Jagdeo was asked about the PPP/C’s position on inclusive governance. He pointed out that this can only happen if there is trust and shared values between political parties – fundamental elements that are currently lacking between the governing party and its main opposition counterpart.
“You have to have a period of building trust and only then you can have [inclusive governance] happen. But there is no building trust. In fact, we’re going further apart because every day APNU pushes one agenda – a racism agenda. And they’re unwilling to acknowledge and say ‘we support free, open democratic elections.’ They would say it inwards but not really subscribe to it. Those are two fundamental things that have to change before you can work together,” GS Jagdeo stressed.
Only recently, in his message to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Norton had sounded a call for unity and closer working relationship between political parties.
“Political leaders should promote a vision of a united and inclusive society, and work towards building consensus and cooperation between different racial and ethnic groups. This includes promoting greater representation and participation of underrepresented groups in the political process, as well as promoting greater dialogue and collaboration between different political parties,” the Opposition Leader had stated in his March 21 statement.
But according to the PPP/C General Secretary, this type of governance cannot be achieved without the current PNC-led Opposition changing its stance on critical issues as well as its race rhetoric.
“I suspect that this new form of inclusive governance that they’re talking about only has one end, that is, executive power sharing. But our point is if you can’t share a common set of values [and] if you believe in stealing elections and we don’t, we can’t get along well. If you don’t share economic values and other social values or patriotism, and if you’re racist, then you can’t work with us on this. You have to share common values for that to work, or else, you bring the same gridlock that we have in the Parliament now, into the Cabinet, and nothing happens. We’ve seen it [and] it has stymied many countries,” he explained.
Since taking office in August 2020, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton have only met once in May 2022. During that meeting, they discussed constitutional and statutory appointments.
Norton had snubbed a second engagement that was scheduled between the two leaders later that month and no other meetings were set since.
Nevertheless, Jagdeo, who is the Vice President of the current PPP/C Administration, further pointed out that the governing party is still committed and subscribes to this type of governance – something which it included in its 2020 Election Manifesto.
However, he underscored the need to safeguard free and fair elections, which will be a key component in the constitutional reform process that is expected to get underway sometime this year.
“If there is a proposal there that comes out about some form of executive power-sharing and it has resonance with the people – maybe, you’ll have to go to a referendum of something of that sort. But right now, we have made serious efforts in this party to have an institutional framework that promotes greater collaboration and governance, inclusive governance. No country in the Caribbean or in the Commonwealth or even further afield have those features in their Constitution,” the PPP General Secretary contended.
This inclusive governance, according to Jagdeo, is reflected in the many constitutional changes that were done over the years by various PPP/C governments including during his tenure as president from 1999 to 2011. These include the parliamentary management committee and the five rights commission – all of which require bipartisan support in the National Assembly to establish these bodies. He added similar practice is done with the four standing committees in the Parliament – the chairmanship of which is divided and shared by the two sides in the House.
He went on to highlight too that the requirement for mandatory agreement between the President and the Opposition Leader on the appointments of a Chancellor and a Chief Justice is also another demonstrative of the PPP/C efforts to promote shared governance.