Home Letters Would PNC Congress produce anything of relevance?
Dear Editor,
The PNC/APNU/PNCR, whatever you may want to call them, would be having their congress celebrations this month, during which time they will take the opportunity to choose a new leader for the party. I wish them well in their endeavours. While that party’s congress holds significant interest for those running for office, I on the other hand, am not so keen on their internal affairs, however, I would like to make some comments which, I think those in the party might find helpful.
My comments stem from the fact that this party held political office for the longest period in our nation’s history and as such they owe it to us to clear up those negative images of the party etched our minds. At least they owe us the decency to come clean in their act this time around.
So, once again I say that party held national office for the longest period of our history, the first instance being 28 continuous years. During that period this country experienced its most harrowing ordeal, we were relegated to the position of a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) the true interpretation of that acronym meaning, we were ranked below Haiti. We were poor, as well as we were a highly indebted country, as Guyana and Guyanese were looked upon with scorn and derision; this is what our country was subjected to.
The last experience of them which lasted for 5 years 5 months, was no different, here the party caused a growing economy to slump back into the dumps, while the higher echelons held tenaciously on to power. For the next 5 months the PNC tried every conceivable ruse at their disposal to hang on, power being the central focus of their attention. This only ended after a final recount of the votes and some pitched court battles right down to wire.
Now, it is hoped that with new leadership – there is definitely going to be a change – that some semblance of decency and class might grace that party. But that is just wishful thinking, because much of what we see as replacement is the same old classless gang, thinking under the same old, retrograde dogmas. Except and until that image is erased the party will continue to languish in the doldrums.
Another disgraceful and embarrassing feature of that party is the age-old problem of rigging. This is not only an endemic situation when on the national level, but even among party members themselves rigging or the falsification of election results is a serious malignancy. Until such time that the party put away that ghost of rigging, they will continue to be a symbol of repulsion in the eyes of the people. So, if you should ask me if there will be another episode of gunplay at this year’s party congress, I am tempted to give you an answer in the affirmative.
Respectfully,
Neil Adams