…endorses APNU+AFC coalition

LESS than nine months after the launch of the Federal United Party (FED-UP), Junior Crawford, a senior member of the party on Thursday announced his withdrawal from the party as he endorsed the coalition government in the upcoming elections.
He joined the party a few months after.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Crawford said one of the main reasons for his departure from the newly formed political party was due to complaints by members of FED-UP about him being overly critical of the main opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and honesty and integrity issues were another driving force for his departure.
Crawford, who has been outspoken on national television and radio of his support for the party, noted that the FED-UP party was formed to be independent and not to be influenced and of recent there have been talks about his honesty and outspokenness towards the opposition; as such, he took a decision to leave rather than stay and create problems; he respectfully left on mutual grounds.

Crawford stated that his aim as a Guyanese is to provide a voice to persons who are left behind and unrepresented. He noted his positivity to spread unity will continue and believes the coalition government through the leadership of President David Granger is the only party that can help him realise this dream. While he believes more can be done, he testified that there have been developments across the region, especially with infrastructure and education. On that note he highlighted that based on the efforts, integrity and positive leadership by President Granger, it is only fair to throw his support behind his administration.

“Because of his honesty, willingness to be inclusive of all Guyanese regardless of race and the fact that country comes before men I choose to rally with the President.” He however noted even though he has expressed his support for the coalition, he will continue to speak out against any negatives and also highlight the positive efforts as he believes in being fair. He further pledged his unwavering support to the coalition and made it known that he is available to serve in any way as needed in the upcoming elections.

PPP calls for boycott
JR Crawford stated that the opposition PPP has committed numerous atrocities against Guyanese of all walks of life and has not to date offered an apology or showed any remorse; this is why he has been critical of that party. To this end, he further stated that there have been calls to boycott his race course and stables, as well as threats on his life. “I am not bothered by the opposition nor their boycott calls, unless we as a people unite and stop voting race, then is when we will be able to truly include the diaspora and make Guyana a better place. The opposition is guilty of enticing race-based politics and we will never move forward as a country with them,” Crawford said.

Additionally, he also wanted to make it clear that he endorsed the coalition on his “own free will” as he truly believes that the party is the best one for Guyana. “I was not promised anything nor paid to say or do anything, I truly want to see Guyanese unite and with the coalition in office, I know we can achieve this and I will continue to fight for this cause.”
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, one of the founders of Fed-Up, former Magistrate and Attorney at Law Chandra Sohan, stated that he has not yet officially received a resignation letter or spoken to Junior Crawford and if indeed he is leaving because he feels he is being targeted due to his outspokenness about the opposition, then that is cause for concern. “That is misleading the public, he is just an ordinary member of the party and I did not see him being reprimanded for being critical of the PPP; we are an independent party that brings something different to the people and we criticise both the government and the PPP.”