AS the 2025 General and Regional Elections approach in Guyana, the familiar drumbeats of campaign promises resurface, particularly from the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC/R), operating under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition.
The rhetoric is all too familiar, mirroring the bold but unmet promises of their 2015 campaign. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the country’s Vice-President, recently articulated a pointed critique of the Opposition’s strategy, or lack thereof, highlighting a cycle of unfulfilled promises and race-based mobilisation.

Dr. Jagdeo’s remarks underscore a significant frustration among the Guyanese populace. The PNC/R’s reliance on racially charged politics, according to Jagdeo, is a regressive strategy in a nation striving for modernity and unity. This approach not only fails to address the substantive issues facing Guyana, but also perpetuates division and stagnation. In a diverse country where progress hinges on inclusivity and forward-thinking policies, the PNC/R’s outdated tactics seem increasingly out of touch.

The PNC/R’s rehashed promises from 2015, including salary increases, pension hikes, job creation, and free university education, ring hollow against their track record. During their last tenure, the Coalition’s governance left much to be desired. Key sectors and communities, including miners and telecommunications, felt the sting of unfulfilled promises and detrimental policies such as increased royalty rates and taxes on machinery. These failures remain vivid in the collective memory of the electorate, casting doubt on the credibility of the current promises.
Contrast this with the PPP’s proactive measures since regaining office. Dr. Jagdeo points to tangible accomplishments: Significant strides in housing, education, and telecommunications reform. These achievements are not just promises on paper, but real, measurable improvements in the lives of Guyanese citizens. For instance, the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, which the previous administration failed to deliver within five years, was accomplished by the PPP/C within three months of taking office. Such swift and decisive action highlights the PPP/C’s commitment to progress, and their ability to execute on their promises.

This dichotomy between the parties is stark. On one side, we have the PNC/R, clinging to a dated playbook and making lofty promises without a clear, actionable plan. On the other, the PPP demonstrates a pragmatic and results-oriented approach, addressing the needs of the nation with concrete actions and policies.
The PNC/R’s inability to evolve is a disservice to the democratic process. Healthy democracies thrive on vibrant, a constructive opposition that offers credible alternatives, and holds the ruling party accountable. However, an opposition mired in the past, relying on divisive rhetoric rather than substantive policy proposals, fails to fulfill this crucial role. It deprives voters of meaningful choices, and undermines the potential for genuine political discourse and progress.
As the 2025 elections loom, Guyanese voters face a critical choice. Will they be swayed by the recycled promises and familiar tactics of the PNC/R, or will they opt for the demonstrated progress and future-oriented vision of the PPP? The answer will shape the nation’s trajectory, determining whether Guyana continues on its path of development and unity, or falls back into the traps of division and unfulfilled aspirations.
The PPP has shown that it can deliver on its commitments, moving beyond mere rhetoric to actualise progress for all Guyanese. The PNC/R, meanwhile, must reckon with its history, and rethink its strategy if it hopes to offer a viable alternative.