Hartley Henry, the PNCR, AFC and underground politics

Jun 17, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
Press reports indicate that the AFC and PNCR have been secretly meeting with Hartley Henry. Mr. Henry is a consultant with deep connections in Barbados.
Henry’s political activities are likely to remain murky in Guyana because he likes “to stay off the radar” (Barbados Underground, May 26, 2010). Given the silence thus far, I think it is only fair to examine what these extraordinary meetings might have been about.
The following thoughts come to mind. The PNCR has basically imploded, and this, largely on account of a crisis of leadership in the party. Infighting within the PNCR has left it wounded, and its chances of regaining consciousness are slim. Based on that singular fact, it appears that the only hope for the PNCR is to tag along with the AFC.
That is actually not a bad idea, but it is not likely to happen because the AFC has also imploded. Like the PNC, the AFC also has a leadership crisis.
Ramjattan supporters want to follow the principle of rotation which would mean that Trotman would be effectively demoted.
The Trotman faction does not agree with their own party principle and much touted pronouncements about a rotating leadership. Does Trotman want to be leader by consensus – that is – without an election? It appears that way.
Henry is likely to suggest that Ramjattan should stay in the second fiddle position? If he does, Ramjattan might bolt straight out of the party.
If Ramjattan does become the party leader, however, the AFC is afraid that they will lose the few seats they currently hold in parliament.
Henry has three things on his plate right now.
Firstly, he must put out the rebellions in the AFC by getting the Trotman and Ramjattan cliques to cool-off. Those close to the situation are saying that the rift is deep and reconciliation may not be reached at all.
Secondly, Henry must also get the PNCR infighting to stop. This is much more difficult because there are many ‘Big-Ones’ in the party who have been around for a long time. You must remember that men such as Hamilton Green and Cammie Ramsaroop have returned to the party hierarchy. PNCR top brass ‘returnees’ are not likely to sit quietly and watch the likes of Armstrong or Van-West Charles move forward.
Thirdly, he must try to balance the egos of the senior leadership from the AFC and PNCR. Henry needs to learn quickly. Let’s put it this way. If the AFC is about to get rid of its main founding principle at the first test of leadership, how then can any arrangement be worked out with anyone else.
He must also learn that many of the old time PNC guys cussed out Hugh Desmond Hoyte for agreeing to free and fair elections.
Finally, I do want to say I feel badly for Mr. Ramjattan. He went into a partnership but it appears that political infidelity might produce a divorce.
Ramjattan must ask Henry why he (Ramjattan) was not invited to the Pegasus meeting with Trotman. The question is this – was it Henry who excluded Ramjattan?
Randy Persaud

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