Like everything else, political parties undergo change and renewal. The reasons, circumstances and methods of change are of infinite range. In Guyana, change has not escaped the PPP in its long history. More recently, current changes began with the passing of Cheddi Jagan in 1997. While there have been dramatic moments, the changes were largely incremental. The PPP of today has little resemblance to the PPP of 1997, except that its outmoded constitution, structure and system of democracy remain in place, perhaps conveniently. Even though I was severed from the PPP as late as 2012, my contemporaries have departed or have, or have been, retired or no longer wield influence. Admittedly, most of us are now rather long in the tooth.
Continue reading “TURMOIL IN SOPHIA – JOE HARMON TRIUMPHS”GUYANA’S FOREIGN POLICY CHOICES IN THE NEW ERA
There is no doubt that the core aspects of Guyana’s foreign policy will remain unchanged, save for a few new challenges. The PPP had always known of the importance of the role of Britain and the United States in Guyana’s politics. The British suspended the Constitution in 1953 and opened the door to US interference in 1962. The PPP was aware that it was US support and British silence that sustained the PNC dictatorship in office and that it was the withdrawal of their support that ended its 28 years in opposition in 1992.
Continue reading “GUYANA’S FOREIGN POLICY CHOICES IN THE NEW ERA”NO FREE PASS
I congratulate the PPP/C on its electoral victory and Dr. Irfaan Ali on his inauguration as the President of Guyana. I congratulate Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Ministers. I wish the Government every success.
Continue reading “NO FREE PASS”THE NEXT CHAPTER
Slavery of African people in the era of colonialism was the worst and most enduring holocaust in recorded human history. It has been estimated that tens of millions died in the horrific ordeal of transportation and enslavement. The later, murderous, colonial, oppression in other countries and regions – South America, Belgian Congo, British India, to name just a few – hints at the unimaginable scale and duration of slavery’s aftermath. The degradation of slavery has no historic comparison and has never been surpassed. No other event has left such a trail of anti-African and anti-human savagery, oppression, poverty and lack of opportunity. The pervasive consequences of slavery, a few of which can be addressed by reparations, continue to this day.
Continue reading “THE NEXT CHAPTER”THE END OF THE ROAD
There can be no doubt that with the end of the road approaching, the APNU+AFC coalition is in a mess. It is a mess of their own creation and they are losing sympathy. In this era of slim majorities, instead of going into opposition and planning for victory in 2025, they decided to go rogue. This is a route that APNU has travelled before, between 1968 and 1992, under a different name and in a different era. It has no future, long or short term. Today, instead of promoting the worthy aspects of Burnham’s legacy, they have chosen to embrace the worst. It would mark them forever as a party that cheats, that cannot be trusted with political office. The people of Guyana, including their own supporters, as in the past, will pay the price.
Continue reading “THE END OF THE ROAD”