Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

An investment in the future

Jul 28, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Those who are astounded by the decision of the Alliance For Change not to enter into any pre-election coalition with the PNCR or the PPP, a decision that effectively dashes any hope of a Big Tent arrangement, do not understand the AFC.
The Alliance For Change was created not just to attain political power.
All political parties strive to attain political power so that they can be better positioned to bring about the change they desire. In the case of the AFC, this change was not just about a new government but about a new political culture.
Thus, from its inception the AFC saw itself as not just interested in winning the presidency but more fundamentally in breaking with the old politics. This was why the AFC was created and this explains its reticence in aligning with either the PNCR or the PPP.
The AFC sees the enactment of a new political culture as being of greater priority than the lawful seizure of power by the opposition, for it is quite possible for there to be a new government without any change in the polarized political culture.
Therefore, in as much as the AFC may be committed to alliance politics, it cannot in all seriousness advance its case for the creation of a new political culture by aligning to the very old forces that they feel are the embodiment of that culture.
As such, if the AFC was to remain true to its credo, it had to avoid a pre-election alliance with either the PNCR or the PPP.
The AFC would have also been mindful that after the last elections, the PNCR opted to align with the PPP when it came to the election of the Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of the regional administration system.
The PNCR chose not to make a deal with the AFC and instead jumped into bed with the PPP so as to avoid a pact with the smaller opposition party.
The PNCR should not feel slighted by the present position the AFC has adopted. It has invited such a position by its own actions after the 2006 elections.
This does not mean that the AFC is not committed to entering into alliances. It remains on record as saying that it is willing to examine a coalition of like-minded parties or groups and in fact, is examining alliances with civil society groupings.
The AFC is also in a predatory mood. While it is opposed to joining up with the two main parties, it would very much like to steal away some of their supporters in order to build up its political base and improve its attractiveness.
Thus, the AFC may very well be seeking out defectors from both camps who are committed to the ideals of the AFC.
This will help the AFC to solidify its organization, something that is important in this the early years of its existence. The AFC could have, to the neglect of its organization, entered into an alliance with the other opposition parties committed to the democratic unseating of the PPP. It would have had to then play a secondary role in any alliance and be ineffective in terms of the political and economic culture it wished to see instituted.
It may have gotten a few seats in the National Assembly and some ministerial postings. Then what? It would have organizationally been no better off when the time came for the next elections.
This is what happened to the United Force after it teamed up with Burnham after the 1964 elections. It was placed on the margins and there were occasions when the coalition came close to splintering.
In the 1968 elections, instead of emerging stronger, instead of witnessing greater freedoms, instead of a more open economy, the United Force saw the very opposite happen. It became less popular in its traditional support base, it saw the elections of 1968 being rigged, it saw the State assuming a greater role in the economy at the expense of the business class that had supported the UF, and large sections of this class eventually left these shores in droves, as did the then leader of the United Force.
The AFC, therefore, by seeking an alliance with like-minded civil society groupings and individuals, are investing in the future of their party. This will widen the base of the party and make it more attractive, since the Trotman/Ramjattan brand may not be as appealing as it was in 2006.
(To be continued).

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up...

Nov 29, 2024

  (GFF) — Guyana Beverages Inc (GBI) in an effort to contribute to the development of women’s football has partnered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as a sponsor of the Maid Marian...
Read More
GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

Nov 29, 2024

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports Awards

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports

Nov 29, 2024

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ National Finals

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank...

Nov 29, 2024

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20 softball affair on Saturday night

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20...

Nov 29, 2024

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tourney

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal...

Nov 28, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]