Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM

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

Latest News

AFC has lost its way, need to refocus for relevance

Aug 20, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to Freddie’s column, “Patterson accusation” (Aug 17). The popular columnist is spot on in his critiques and analyses of the AFC. The AFC leadership needs to be honest to itself; the party has lost the trust and confidence of its (former) supporters and the population at large. Its support has been decimated and the party has found itself depending on the PNC for parliamentary representation.
The public appreciates, approves, endorses, and welcomes Freddie’s critique of the opposition. They want more! Even current AFC supporters agree with Freddie, who remains the most popular columnist, writer in Guyana. Instead of attacking or criticising Freddie, the leadership should visit and interact with voters. They would get a rude awakening; voters are most disappointed with them, their behaviour in government, and their neglect of their supporters. The party should also commission a poll (not conducted by me) and it will get a true picture of its support.
The AFC steadily built support from 2005 thru 2015. The public feels its governance for the five years of coalition rule was the worst since the time of Burnham and the first few years of Hoyte. In opinions I polled, the public feels that had the AFC not brought down the PPP in November 2014 and linking up with PNC in 2015, stayed out of government during the coalition, or resigned or pull out from the coalition during the period of misgovernance, it would have retained its base of support and built on it. Many voters feel that had AFC not stained its name by entering into a coalition with the PNC (APNU), it would have done extremely well in 2020. All of that is now water under the bridge as its support has shrunk considerably.
Had the AFC contested on its own in 2015, it would have done poorly. It definitely lost support, getting a fraction of what it obtained in 2011 and 2015. If the party’s leadership genuinely apologises for misgovernance during the coalition rule and behaves responsibly in parliament, as a partner of the official opposition, and distances itself from the crude behaviour of elements among its partners, voters may take a look at it again. As of right now, voters have limited faith in the AFC. Its support base is looking for a credible alternative.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record loss

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record loss

Dec 23, 2024

(Cricinfo) – After a T20I series that went to the decider, the first of three ODIs between India and West Indies was a thoroughly one-sided fare. The hosts dominated from start to finish...
Read More
GBA confirms additional bouts

GBA confirms additional bouts

Dec 23, 2024

Opinion: Barbados Cricket Faces Crossroads

Opinion: Barbados Cricket Faces Crossroads

Dec 23, 2024

KMTC Boxing Day Horse race meet turning out to be signature year-end event

KMTC Boxing Day Horse race meet turning out to be...

Dec 23, 2024

Candy Boss Invitational 8-A-Side Football Tournament kicks off Boxing Night

Candy Boss Invitational 8-A-Side Football...

Dec 23, 2024

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s College ahead of today’s final

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s...

Dec 22, 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 […]