What is clear is that the PNC/R is at a crossroads, its choices are stark and determinative of its very existence and future

Jun 14, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

In the almost seventy years of its existence, the PNC/R has elected only five leaders (Burnham, Hoyte, Corbin, Granger and Norton), three of whom served as presidents of the republic. The four previous leaders either died in office or did not seek re-election.

It is quite possible that the upcoming 22nd Biennial Congress will be the most important in its history as it will determine the first major challenge to an incumbent leader not long in his position but also on the eve of national elections. The intense campaigning, manoeuvring and general interest surrounding this process suggest that the seriousness and consequentiality is not lost on party leaders, members and supporters and this might have contributed to some rancour.

All political parties have suffered reversals from time to time, but widespread demands for changes in leadership and direction in any organisation, not only political parties, are usually precipitated by catastrophic reversals, serious management and organizational failures, and vision/mission lapses or betrayals. Just like natural organisms, social organizations exhibit symptoms of ill health and distress requiring diagnosis and treatment. If ignored, poorly diagnosed and untreated, or mistreated, the symptoms and condition can be expected to worsen possibly leading to its demise. This congress offers the opportunity, and responsibility, for addressing such concerns.

Unfortunately, in the age of alternative facts and cultist devotion to personality and frivolous accomplishments, it is exceedingly difficult to entertain rational discussions and pragmatic assessments of political reality and prospects. On the one hand, supporters of the incumbent leader rationalize their devotion to him, and antagonism to others, on the Führerprinzip or leader principle (Nazi Germany’s main contribution to political philosophy), which demands the subordination of all offices, policies and decisions to the personality and will of the leader. They view politics in terms of serving the needs of a single individual, the maximum leader, and definitely not in terms of collective aspirations, organizational goals, or team, and alliance, building.

This political vision envisages conflict and blame, not co-operation; separation, subtraction and division, not unity, inclusiveness, empowerment and growth; isolation, not alliance building. While it is probably too simplistic to suggest that this movement represents a deviation from party orthodoxy in much the same way as the MAGA movement is a deviation from conservative republicanism in the USA but it is just as popular and threatening to democratic values, good governance and aspirations for a good life for all. On the other hand, challengers to the incumbent leader advocate for greater inclusiveness, team work and unity, mobilization and collective purpose.

What is clear is that the PNC/R is at a crossroads, its choices are stark and determinative of its very existence and future. It is a choice between stagnation and growth; exclusion and inclusion; division and unity; weakness and strength; ineptitude and competence; diktat and consensus; defeat and victory; and incumbent and challengers. These are consequential, but not unduly difficult, choices and must be freely litigated and not subjected to procedural irregularities and partisan manipulation as is already been alleged. It is unfathomable that anyone could support such negative and fruitless orientations and, perhaps, this is the reason why the field for leader is so large. While I admire them all, it is my opinion that Roysdale Forde, with his consistent and powerful message of reuniting, rebuilding and re-energizing the party, his considerable organizational, team and consensus-building, communication, strategic and visionary abilities is the most suitable candidate for Party Leader at this time. Delegates, and nominees for office, have a duty to fearlessly represent the interests of the party as a whole. Vote courageously, intelligently and patriotically; elect Roysdale Forde Leader of the PNC/R now.

Sincerely,

Oscar Dolphin

Burnham, Corbin, determinative, Granger, Hoyte, Oscar Dolphin

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What is clear is that the PNC/R is at a crossroads, its choices are stark and determinative of its very existence and future

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What is clear is that the PNC/R is at a crossroads, its choices are stark and determinative of its very existence and future

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