We need to escape the hold the PPP and PNC have on us for the past sixty years

Aug 14, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

In a letter in the Kaieteur News and dated August 11, 2025 by Dr. Henry Jeffrey and Captioned “Cheddi’s Aspiration brought to nought” Henry said, “The ‘return to democracy’ in 1992 held much promise, but both politically and economically, the PPP has led Guyana to this intolerable state largely because of its historic dictatorial ambitions rooted in ethnic–and particularly anti-African – domination”.

He continued, “The public service in general is largely manned by Africans and for two decades, like other public sector unions, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has been fighting for collective bargaining to improve the meagre salaries of teachers.”

I am tired of this race analysis. I keep saying to Black leaders or those who pretend to represent Blacks that Blacks and Indians are not homogenous units. These groups are stratified with varied interests within the various colour groups.

Henry Jeffry was a Minister in the PPP government. At one time, he was the Minister of labour. Did he question the absence of collective bargaining? Let him tell us what did he do to return to collective bargaining.

During that time did he speak of Black marginalisation? He should recall that during the reign of the PNC, teachers and public servants did not strike. I recall when I was a teacher and was a delegate of the New Amsterdam branch, I was instrumental in passing a resolution for increased pay for teachers. The General Council member refused to present the resolution that was passed by his branch. I was forced to present it. Minister Salahudin spoke against it many others spoke against the resolution and the chairman refused to give me an opportunity to rebut. The resolution was voted down. Imagine delegates voted against increases for themselves.

In 1989, when Hoyte touched his toes and presented the IMF dictates as his own ERP and the Guyana Dollar was devalued, I recall rice moved from $50 to $150 etc. and bauxite and sugar workers went on strike because Hoyte said zero increase. The PSU, transport union, Postal Service Union and the Teachers’ union did not join the strike. The unity of bauxite and sugar workers saw them receiving 40% increase instead of zero. So, you can see how divided the workers were. They shouted, Hoyte! Hoyte! Hoyte! And voted solidly in favour of Hoyte in 1992. Maybe Henry can explain this phenomenon. He should also explain the crossovers to the coalition who voted against the PPP.

So who were marginalising the workers, (primarily Blacks of those unions)?

The PNC got back into power in 2015 with the help of about 30,000 crossover Indian votes. You would recall they did nothing to reintroduce collective bargaining. We should recall the strike by the teachers. The Coalition did not yield to the teachers demand. This was when Bharrat and Irfaan shouted what about the teachers and promised 50% increase but just like the PNC-led government, they ignored the cries of the teachers when they assumed power.

Henry woke up when he ceased to be a minister. Henry, like some of the other Black leaders speak of the margialisation of Blacks as if they are the only group that is marginalised. I keep saying to these Afro-Guyanese leaders that even though Afro-Guyanese may be more marginalised, and this may very well be influenced by the way political parties are organised, or also because of culture patterns, the result of the traumatic experience of slavery, they cannot win the struggle on their own. Only the united working people can liberate all. To keep harping on Black marginalisation separates the Indians from the Blacks and this is definitely a losing strategy and plays into the hands of the PPP.

The reality is that Indians, Blacks, Amerindians etc. have a high level of marginalisation within their ranks. Any strategy for change must involve the recognition that we have to find something that unites the broadest sections of the Guyanese people and that is the working people. Only a united working people can hold any government accountable.

Henry should know that both parties practice neoliberal economics, i.e. emphasise infrastructure, incentivise the private sector and according to the theory, the wealth would trickle down. In Guyana, historically the Indians form the greater part of the business class. Henry would know that a lot of Indians got rich under Burnham despite the PNC, and in fact, these rich Indians were the financial back bone of support for the PNC. No doubt under the PPP, the friends and cronies would be Indians hence we have seen how contracts are awarded.

Let’s face facts, both the PNC and PPP look after their friends and cronies. During the coalition, certain Black leaders got the benefits. Large tracts of land etc. They became corrupt but the marginalised Blacks defended them just like the Indians defend the PPP regardless of what they do.

I must say however, this is changing as more and more of our people are questioning their party leaders and breaking away from them. Henry should join in educating our people. He should impress upon them the need to unite as working people so that they stand in solidarity in defence of their interests. He should not let the colour of his skin guide him. He should recognise this especially as he seems to recall Cheddi’s aspirations. I would at this point suggest he remember Dr. Walter Rodney who had the same kind of aspirations and follow their analysis of the Guyanese socio-political conditions.

This is why the PPP is in panic mode. Our people are awakening. Guyana is at crossroads, Dr. Jeffrey it is not only Blacks that are left out of the loop when it comes to the oil wealth. Most Guyanese are. It is clear that the gap between the rich and poor is widening rapidly. The middle-class Blacks and Indians are more concerned in getting a share of the cake and definitely are not interested in what happens to the marginalised who are simply manipulated by the leadership of the PPP and PNC.

If Henry really cares, he should educate our people and encourage them to leave the PPP and PNC as they definitely do not serve the interest of the majority of our people. I have spent my life fighting for the working people. The time frame for elections made it difficult for small parties and because of the number of parties that could accomplish what I set out to do, I stepped down from the electoral path.

I will put my energies into working to educate our people so they can unite in their own interest. It is sad to see the marginalised ‘cussing down’ each other in defence of these two parties that do not represent their interest.

I suggest they abandon these two parties and vote for a third force. I say to the Indians I know the PPP is pushing the fear, “You want the PNC to tek over?” and I know you would not forget their conduct during the last elections but let me assure you, the PNC is in disarray and so there is no way they can slip in. Even the leadership of the PNC is leaving the PNC. I appeal to our people across the race spectrum, concentrate your votes for the for the third force that is emerging as the most popular. I have a cousin who divorced three times until he found a life partner that gave both of them happiness. Let’s keep trying. We need to escape the hold these two parties had on us for the past sixty years. Do this for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

Sincerely,

Rajendra Bisessar

BSC Sociology, LLB

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• African, BSc Sociology, Guyana Teachers Union, PNC, PPP, Rajendra Bisessar

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