THE 32nd Congress of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) ended on a high note. Apart from being the largest in terms of Delegates and Observers, the congress mapped out a number of strategic and far-reaching amendments to its Constitution, which took into account the changing dynamics, both at the local and international levels.
As is characteristic of all living organisms, adaptation to environmental changes is key and critical for survival and longevity. This is true for political parties as it is for any other organisation. The laws of dialectics postulated that nothing is immutable. Everything is subject to change and development.
In the case of the ruling PPP, the party has evolved over the several decades to become the largest, strongest and most ethnically diverse political organisation, not only in Guyana, but in the region as a whole. This is due in no small measure to the unflinching loyalty to principles and values which places people at the centre of all policy prescriptions.
As pointed out by PPP General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo at the closing ceremony of the historic congress, the PPP remains committed to the creation of a socially just society, while at the same time embracing ideological and political pluralism, racial unity and religious harmony.
This re-affirmation was made in view of a decision taken by the congress, which is the highest decision-making forum of the party, to remove all references to Marxism-Leninism from the party’s Constitution.
According to the party’s General Secretary, this was a decision that was unanimously endorsed by congress, but does not mean that the party has given up on its working-class history and credentials.
The PPP, he said, is guided by the ideology of the working-class and the party will ensure that the primary objective of its policies and programmes is geared towards improving the lives of working people, the poor and the dispossessed. Such a dispensation will be achieved through a pro-poor approach to economic growth and development.
These sentiments were also shared by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who noted that the PPP remains the champion of the Guyanese people in all facets of national life, not least of which is the preservation of the democratic fabric of the society.
The PPP/C administration, he said, is also examining new and innovative ways of putting more money into the pockets of Guyanese, especially the poor and the dispossessed.
As is to be expected, there are likely to be some both within and outside of the party who may harbour nostalgic if not sentimental feelings about the ideals of a ‘socialist’ vision. However, as pointed out by President Ali, it is not the embrace of ideology, however defined, that is the determining factor in development but the implementation of policies and programmes that impact directly the working and living conditions of people that really matter.
In this regard, it is instructive to reflect on the words of the late Nelson Mandela at a town hall meeting in the United States when he famously said: “It does not matter whether the cat is white or black; once it catches mice.”
