Better the APNU’s solid tent than one blown by the wind

Aug 01, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,

The APNU has had a successful launch and is set to receive all compatible political parties, civil society organizations and individuals who share a common vision and passion for a new, vastly improved Guyana.

The reluctance by some to embrace this new dawn can only be seen as a form of political backwardness. Politicians with real conviction are able to remain true to their core beliefs and values through finding expression in strategic action which allows the bigger picture to be played out for the national good.
Winston Churchill was a politician with such conviction. In spite of constantly switching from party to party, Churchill was the greatest Conservative Prime Minister of the last century. Besides changing from Liberal to Conservative, he gave up his 1930s opposition to appeasement and actively wanted in 1939 a coalition Government. He chose coalition; it was not forced on him by Labour, nor was he afraid to adjust his views to uncomfortable realities, as he did in 1951, when he reluctantly accepted the end of the Empire. Churchill, though one of the most decisive politicians, appeared happier and more effective when working within the framework of coalition politics. Edward Heath was another conviction politician who believed that big picture politics and the national interest existed in the same virtuous circle. Heath like Churchill was able to put the national interest before that of the Conservative Party, first by sacking Enoch Powell in 1968 for inciting racial tension with his ‘rivers of blood’ speech, then by forcing through membership of the European Community against a divided party in the House of Commons. At Sunningdale, when creating the new concept of power-sharing in Northern Ireland, he again risked splitting the party.

Our conviction politicians should not be afraid to influence the future shape of Guyanese politics. Conviction politicians are never afraid to take their party where the country needs to go. If they are any good they will be able to convince party members and supporters that being part of a big solid tent like APNU serves the national interest much more effectively than can a frail little tent blowing hopelessly in the wind. But then, this is the stuff that real conviction politicians are made of.

F. Hamley Case

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