I Have “fundamental” Differences With AFC’s Political Philosophy

Submitted By Rickford Burke, former personal aide to President Desmond Hoyte

I feel compelled to note that because of my prior criticism of the PNCR and its current leader, some have without foundation assumed and opined in various fora that I am supporting the opposition Alliance for Change (AFC) party, in Guyana’s upcoming general elections, which I understand “may” be in August 2011. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am not! I have very good friends in the AFC who I admire and believe have contributed, and can further contribute to Guyana’s national development. But I have “fundamental” differences with the AFC’s political philosophy.

One specific difference,  is that I firmly believe that in order to depose the PPP from office, foster national unity and reconciliation as well as shape a genuine representative government, there must be a broad coalition of political, civil, community, religious, labor and other groups.  Such an alliance is not only essential to undermine and root out the rancorous, race-based, divisive politics of the PPP, but it will engender a new, refreshing culture of oneness and inclusive governance in our polity and country. This is at the core of my personal political philosophy.

From its positions; both presumed and stated, it appears that the AFC does not fully embrace this agenda. It has said clearly that it will not coalesce with the PNCR- which represents a major segment of the Guyanese electorate and political society. I cannot support a political party whose ideology seemes tinged with, and/or can lead to, divisiveness. Political exclusion is an entrenched PPP position, the consequences of which are perennial racial triumphalism and insecurity; all of which have engendered political instability and national stagnation.  It has been demonstrated that political parties with ideologies like this mature into regimes that spawn oligarchies, ethnocracies and tyrannies – a prime example of which, in Guyana’s context, is the PPP ethnocracy and tyranny.

The AFC Must Not Fulfil Edmond Burke’s Timeless Prophecy

Submitted by Rickford Burke, President of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

The principle of political exclusion articulated in the AFC’s statement of July 24, 2010 may transpose, if not obviate, consideration of that party’s political philosophy. Until now, the AFC’s ethos seemed stimulating and revitalizing to Guyana’s political culture – it endowed the party with an enviable momentum as general elections speculation become rife and election manoeuvrings gain primacy in the ruling PPP. But Guyana’s political history is replete with lessons of parties that adopt insular policies that paralyzed their evolution and reduced them to mere academic instruction – mere footnotes of history. In this regard, Edmund Burke’s axiom “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” proves timeless, and seems to have been envisaged for this circumstance. Is the AFC doomed to repeat history?

The AFC’s statement affirmed its executive committee’s determination that “Alliances and partnerships should be forged with the majority decision being that the AFC, as early as is possible, proceed to forge alliances with civic society groups, like-minded political entities, and even personalities from both the PPP/C and the PNC/R, but not with the PPP/C or the PNC/R as political organizations. The pre-election exclusion of the latter two from the process of alliance building and partnership was in recognition that these two parties are wholly incompatible with the AFC, which is the Party of the future; and, that the AFC ultimately will not be able to maintain its identity and core principles if it were to ally with either one of them.”

CADRES Survey Findings, Alliance For Change (AFC) May Hold Balance Of Power In Guyana Election

AFC Leader Attorney at Law Raphael Trotman

The anticipated election in Trinidad and Tobago is now history and Patrick Manning’s People’s National Movement (PNM) has been retired to the opposition benches. Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning in a fit of dementia decided to go back to the electorate almost two and a half years before the election was constitutionally due. He must of thought the T&T electorate was of his own state of mind. Perhaps Manning like Erskine Lloyd Sandiford before him believed it was better to sacrifice it all as a catalyst to usher in a rebirth of their respective parties.

Guyana’s election is the next which will be followed with heightened interest for more reasons than one. The election is constitutionally due in about twelve months. For those who have been following developments in recent years it could prove an important election for Guyana and by extension the Caribbean. The Indo-flavoured government of Bharat Jagdeo has been at the end of a flood of corruption and racially motivated charges in recent months. If one can judge from the level of emigration flows to the smaller and less resource rich neighbouring islands, conclusions can be drawn that the incumbent government has not been creating enough opportunities to reasonably satisfy its domestic market.

Regional Pollster Peter Wickham of CADRES has whetted the appetite of the pundits by issuing a Press Release (credit to Peter Wickham – summary of a March 2010 survey) which makes for interesting reading. One year out it looks like Mr. Raphael Trotman’s Alliance For Change (AFC) is a third party which cannot be ignored. Of interest to many is the support of the incumbent PPP/Civic, still leading the pack and this is despite a barrage of accusations alleging corruption in government.

Mrs. Holder’s Comments To Demerara Waves Were Ludicrous And Misguided And Should Be Withdrawn

Submitted by Rickford Burke

Guyanese Member of Parliament Ms. Shelia Holder

I am constrained to express strong objection and profound disappointment at comments made by Co-Chair of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Ms. Sheila Holder, on Sunday April 11, 2010, on Demerara Wave’’s internet radio program, “Periscope on Politics.” On several occasions during the interview with Messrs Dennis Chabrol and Lloyd King, Ms. Holder contemptuously inferred and stated that the 1997/1998 street protests in Guyana were designed to “terrorize” and have caused “injury and grievous harm to our ethnocentric society.” Ms. Holder then dismissively and derisively argued that “taking to the streets to terrorize and force the PPP to act is an exercise in futility, Mr. Hoyte tried it but what did it deliver?”

I hold Ms. Holder is good regard. However, for her, as a leader of the AFC who seeks the support of the said people, to denigrate them as “terrorists,” is appallingly ludicrous and abominable. Moreover, for her to state that former President of Guyana and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, tried “terrorism” to force the PPP to act is opprobrious and irresponsible, and must not be allowed to contend.

The period to which Ms. Holder refers is the days immediately following the 1997 elections, when the then Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Cecil Kennard, knowingly violated the order of then Chief Justice Desire Bernard, and unlawfully swore in Mrs. Janet Jagan as President of Guyana, even before all of the votes were counted and before the election results were declared, in violation of the Guyana constitution.  The law requires that the votes be counted and the election results declared before the President is sworn in. This is fundamental in any modern, democratic society that upholds the rule of law.