– Granger at helm of new Party formed
THE Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP) is all set to launch the coalition on July 8, with Rtd. Brigadier David Granger at the helm.
At the launch on July 8, the other leaders in the new party will be publicly named. According to reports, the new party will be named ‘A Partnership for National Unity’ (APNU).
The leadership core of APNU, according to a JOPP statement, will consist of four nominees, one from each of the member parties, which are:
* The People’s National Congress Reform – One Guyana (PNCR-1G);
* The Guyana Action Party (GAP);
* The National Front Alliance (NFA); and
* The Working People’s Alliance (WPA).
Co-Leader of the WPA, Professor Clive Thomas, in a release to the media, said, “This is the first multi-party grouping which includes one of the two major political parties…this commitment provides for the inclusion of not only the partnership, but for all other parties, with a threshold of voter support in the forthcoming elections that are willing to form a Government of National Unity.”
NFA Leader, Mr. Keith Scott, in his statement, added that the NFA endorses the declaration of A Partnership for National Unity and is committed to upholding the statement of principles.
“Such a vision has resulted in the formation of the APNU. The APNU must be seen as the vehicle for unifying our brothers and sisters across the racial divide. The APNU pledges to form a government that will work in the interest of every Guyanese citizen,” he said.
The Guyana’s People Partnership (GPP), led by Mr. Peter Ramsaroop, is expected to join the new party.
However, leaders in the Alliance for Change (AFC) have publicly declared that the party will not be joining forces with a coalition party.
Reports are that  APNU’s manifesto will address constitutional and institutional reforms for shared governance; the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission; the establishment of a National Broadcasting Authority; the holding of local government elections; and the involvement of youth in decision-making.
According to the JOPP, the formal launch of  APNU will be followed by several other launching programmes that will be held at various locations around Guyana during the month of July to inform as many Guyanese as possible of the government of national unity.

NOT A POLITICAL PARTY
A statement from the JOPP noted that the APNU is “not a political party”, rather it is an association of political parties, Guyanese organisations and citizens that share a common desire to ensure a bright future for our country and citizens, guided by agreed principles.
“To demonstrate commitment to national unity and to fulfil the requirements of the Election Laws of Guyana, the members of A Partnership for National Unity will contest the 2011 General and Regional Elections as a single, united List of Candidates with: a common symbol; a consensus presidential candidate, Mr. David Granger; a single Representative and a single Deputy Representative of the List of Candidates; an agreed Electoral Platform; and a unified campaign organisation and management,” the release said.
Moving forward as one party, the JOPP’s members yesterday signed a joint declaration which sets out clearly the objectives of the Partnership as well as the guiding principles.
According to the JOPP statement, the declaration is also “an invitation to political parties, civic organisations and individual citizens, of all ages, gender, races, religions, abilities, classes, and political persuasion to join us under the umbrella of APNU”.

PAPER PARTIES
In an invited comment, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate, Mr. Donald Ramotar, said he is not surprised that Granger was chosen to lead the coalition.
He pointed out that the smaller parties are really “paper parties” with no kind of constituency.
“The smaller parties do not have that wide base of support…the WPA really only has its good name left,” Ramotar said.
Mr. Ramotar declined to comment further, as did the AFC presidential candidate, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, except to say that he wished the new venture well.
“The Alliance for Change will not be any part of a coalition, but we wish them well,” Ramjattan told the Chronicle in an invited comment.
Granger in a statement released to the press, said, “We have much to do, but together, we shall succeed. Our partnership has decided to establish a government of national unity committed to the proposition that all Guyanese are entitled to a good life.”
Leader of the PNCR-1G, Mr. Robert Corbin, in his statement, said, “We are equally confident that our APNU consensus presidential candidate has the integrity, capacity and the competence to lead the Government of National Unity, and will ensure that the objectives of APNU are achieved….We are confident that APNU offers all Guyanese and Guyana an opportunity for a new beginning.”

AFFILIATES DISPLEASED
However, affiliates of the PNCR-1G have voiced their concerns in speaking to the Guyana Chronicle.
Mr. Aaron Charles said, “This is indeed a sad moment, to see PNCR being reduced to nothing. Corbin is the worst leader of our time, he allowed Granger to set him up. We dumped Burnham; we dumped Hoyte: now we are dumping PNC!”
Ms. Margaret Liverpool added her bit and said, “As a woman who supported the PNC all these years, I am perplexed at this nonsense. I am only here to see for myself what this is all about. Granger is making such a mess of this campaign. The PNCR is no more.”
Mr. Mark Cameron said, “I feel the idea of coming together is excellent, but might we not be fooling ourselves to think this move, in its current shape and form, will strengthen the chances of the opposition? To dissolve the PNCR is a grave mistake. The other players are without a constituency, so this is more superficial than anything else.”