We have to break from the adversarial politics of the past

Sep 05, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
The Round table organised by the Ministry of Social Cohesion in collaboration with the UNDP on advancing the process of national reconciliation is laudable and a step in the right direction.
However, for it to be meaningful and productive, there must be the willingness on all sides to rise above narrow and partisan interests and put the good of the country above everything else.
In other words, this must not be seen as another cosmetic exercise but as a genuine attempt to find common ground on the way forward for the country.
The fact is that race is a strong factor in our political life and therefore cannot be ignored. The last general and regional elections, as indeed all elections following the split of the PPP in the mid-1950’s, have demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between ethnicity and voting behaviour especially as it relates to the two major race groups in Guyana, namely Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese.
At the same time, we should not overemphasize race since Guyanese are not hostile to each other based on race or ethnicity.
I have always maintained that race relations in Guyana is generally good despite a clear pattern of voting behaviour along ethnic lines.
This is why the search for a political solution that would help to bridge the political divide along race lines must be vigorously pursued.
The country need to advance beyond race-based politics to one in which every Guyanese, regardless of race or ethnicity feels that they are involved in equal measure in the task of nation-building.
We have to break from the adversarial and confrontational politics of the past. This requires wise and matured leadership and an ability to think big.
There should be no place for small minds and those who lacks the ability to see the larger picture.
There is need for new thinking to prevail in our body-politic, and the sooner the better.
We cannot continue with a system of governance where close to half of the population feels alienated whenever one or the other of the major political parties obtain political power as is currently the case.
Hydar Ally

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