Dear Editor

AS societies grew in size and as a result of their evolution their problems grew with them. Some of the problems that exist in societies cut across many cleavages and as a result, tackling those problems required a collective approach in trying to solve them. The common member of societies, communities, and villages are united because of a shared issue in the search to find a solution. The efforts of problem-solving traditionally are by the people (i.e. those societal members who share the common problem), in their geographical area, working to find a solution for themselves. This may be described as a self-help approach.

When large groups of people unite, however, the need for organisation becomes imperative. A structure with a head and supporting personnel offers several advantages. Organisation allows for unity in messaging, identity or branding, channelling of efforts to one purpose, a pooling of resources and survival of the movement beyond personalities. Naturally from among the grassroots, the brightest and those with leadership qualities rise to the top with the support and blessings of the wider people.

The previous two paragraphs explain how political parties are traditionally formed. The People’s Progressive Party was formed similarly during the struggle for independence. Currently however, its leadership in the form of its presidential candidate is not from the people, does not reflect the choice of the people and is definitely not interested in representing the people. The thousands of members of the party did not choose Irfaan.
Democracy has two root words from which it is formed, those being “Demos,” meaning the people/citizens and “Kratos” meaning rule/power. Such roots suggest that the meaning of democracy should translate as power of the people to rule. Power of the people to choose, power of the people to decide and power of the people to determine. True democracy despite its many virtues has the disadvantage of being slow.

True democracy would cause every decision to have to consult all of the people, hear all of the people and then tally the preferences of all of the people before a decision is made. Such a process would see progress to a standstill or extremely slow. The decisions that have to be made on a daily basis to run a country are so many that it renders true democracy, even in a small country such as Guyana, impractical. Hence the compromise of representative democracy.

Representative democracy is the consummation of the marriage of political parties to democracy. What is representation however? Representation is the “re” presenting of the positions, decisions, desires and choices of the people by those chosen by the people. To represent (“re” present) one must first have been presented with those positions, decisions, desires and choices of those you represent. This can only happen if you are chosen by the people to be their champion, so they present you with them and that you listen and accept them.

The purpose of a leader in political parties or a representative of the people is one of servitude. A presidential candidate for a political party ought to be the voice of the grass-roots membership of the party, accessible to the membership, listening to the demands of the membership and committed to serving the membership. The leadership direction of political parties (including the PPP) should come from the wider members directing the chosen representative where to take the party.

Currently, there is a representation crisis for the vast membership of the PPP, resulting from a hijacking of the democratic process by Bharrat Jagdeo installing his handpicked presidential candidate. Within the membership of the PPP, there are more loved and qualified persons to be presidential candidate for the 2020 general and regional elections. Dr. Frank Anthony, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and legal luminary Anil Nandlall all are better qualified members to represent the PPP at the upcoming elections.

So then why Irfaan? Mr Irfaan Ali is not interested in representing the people, but interested in pursuing his self-interest and selfish ambitions to be president of Guyana in the time when the nation is producing oil. His pursuit of the presidency is a power and money-grab attempt to use the political party as his personal pedestal to ascend to the highest office of this land. There is not an iota of desire to serve in him (Irfaan Ali) except that of self-service.

Mr Jagdeo’s interest in Irfaan as president is one where he recognises his (Mr. Ali) blind and selfish ambitions outweigh love for the party of his origin and the people who support it. Also, that leaders such as Dr. Anthony, Dr. Persaud and Mr. Nandlall could not be made puppets or facades where he can be president from the shadows.

These all add up to a representation crisis for PPP supporters, a fractured party-level democracy and the danger of the extension of that fracture to our national democracy should the current make-up of the PPP win the March 2 elections. Crisis where the positions, decisions, desires and choices of the masses are ignored for the personal ambitions of two men.

Such a crisis cannot be allowed to persist. His Excellency President David Granger enjoys the confidence, love and support of the members of APNU and is widely popular with the membership of the AFC. The prime ministerial candidate Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, is extremely loved and popular with the membership of the AFC and enjoys the respect and trust of APNU members.

A recent poll showed that Mr. Ramjattan holds the confidence of PPP supporters when compared to other coalition members and as a result, is a viable option to their current representation dilemma. His work as Minister of Public Security has benefitted the nation as a whole, but especially business owners (of which Indians dominate) and the rich, making it safe to do business. Furthermore, his origins in politics were with the masses and people who sought their representation by the PPP and who are now without a champion due to the underhanded tricks of Bharrat Jagdeo.

The APNU+AFC coalition is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious political movement where every Guyanese is represented and the best option to heal the wounds of race-based politics.
So dear unrepresented traditional PPP supporters, the APNU+AFC coalition is realisation of the hope of all Guyanese that we can finally be united as one nation. We the members and supporters of the APNU+AFC encourage you to support the only political movement that is for all Guyanese. Come on board, don’t stop the progress.

Regards
Kenny Valladares