IS THERE ROOM FOR A NEW PARTY?

Jul 12, 2016 Editorial

Following the domination of both the General and Regional Elections and the Local Government Elections by the two main parties, many are asking if there is room to accommodate a new party. While some believe that there is room for a new party, others felt that the time is not right. The question is, does a new party stand a realistic chance of breaking the monopoly of the two-party system, or is it doomed to suffer the same fate as all previous third parties.
This question that speaks to the viability of a new political alternative in Guyana has been at the centre of a simmering debate over the past year especially after the AFC joined APNU and amid clear signs of significant public disenchantment with the two mainstream parties.
Fueling the new party debate is public opinion polls which have consistently found that a sizeable percentage of the electorate had become disengaged from the political process because of the racial voting which has been the pillar of the two main political parties.
The fact that a sizeable portion of the population has fallen out of favor with the two main parties, has obviously led to the assumption that such persons might be open to embracing a new party if one comes along. Needless to say, the debut of a new political alternative would definitely widen the choices for the voters and would be a welcome boost for the democratic process in the country, which is the freedom to make a political choice.
The more political choices, the better it is for the voters who will be exposed to a wide range of perspectives on the issues. Public debate on competing ideas is the lifeblood of democracy which could be enriched by the presence of a new party that can contribute to a more balanced debate on the issues and decision-making in the public interest.
However, many have poured cold water on the likelihood of a new party to represent the interests of those who are disenchanted with the two party systems, and have contemptuously dismissed the idea. But for some to say that any new party that comes on the scene now is doomed to fail simply because others previously did, is a lame reason. The establishment of a new party ought to be examined separately in the context of its own set of circumstances. Because others have failed in the past does not mean the same outcome is guaranteed for a new party today. Conditions now may be more favourable for it to survive.
Most third parties have failed because the timing was not right, even though what they had offered did, to some extent, capture the public’s imagination. However, promoters of any new political alternative can learn from the mistakes and the failures of those parties.
While a new party may be needed in the country, the idea of having one to truly represent the interests of the working class and the poor and the downtrodden is likely to garner strong appeal from the public. To enhance the chances of success of such a party, it must be carefully thought through, especially in terms of its policies, campaign strategy and its leaders.
In Guyana, for the last 50 years, people have very seldom voted on the issues or for solutions, but along racial lines. Therefore a new party with a strong working class background would likely straddle the racial divide. It must clearly identify its needs and design a campaign strategy which must be carefully executed through effective branding.
It must be seen as the solution to the country’s problems as well as improving the well-being of the people. The survival of a new party would depend on its ability to unite the people. It must also have visionary and transformative leadership that will improve the lives of all, irrespective of race or party affiliations.

3 thoughts on “IS THERE ROOM FOR A NEW PARTY?”

Gtloyal July 12, 2016 at 3:14 pm

The success of a third party depends on one of two things.
Firstly, to have a chance, its members, more so its leaders, will have to come from space. Guyanese, especially Guyanese politicians do not have the mind set, maybe not even the intellect, to offer anything different from what we see today, much less something better.
Or, the second option, Freddie Kissoon will have to form and lead that party.
Any new party today will obviously take votes from the other (parties).
The one group likely to lose the most votes will be the present coalition. To begin with many of its supporters are frustrated members of another party, who embraced a promise of change for the better and they would surely do it again if they don’t see that change now, or, go back to where they once belonged. The opposition party will lose some members but not as much as the coalition, so with the returning members to the fold, it will be in a better position to return to government. It would be nigh to impossible to see any new party winning an election on their first outing.
Keith Williams July 13, 2016 at 9:59 am

A year ago, because of my naivety, I would have answered no. Today in retrospect, I say, not only is there room for another political organization, it has become imperative, if we are to reach that state where democracy and accountability can be visualized, for there to be a new national party.
Henry Horton July 14, 2016 at 1:31 pm

a good idea, one truly representing the working people of the country. The coalition is disappointing, dominated by political elites and dinosaurs bereft of vision and ideas.