Dear Editor,
With reference to Mr Rickford Burke’s letter ‘CGID condemns the removal of James McAllister,’ SN December 8, I am really startled that Mr Burke, a one-time personal assistant to Mr Desmond Hoyte, has not listened to the other side and worse yet, has not reflected his intimate knowledge of the internal politics of the Peoples National Congress (PNC). It must be very obvious to many that this letter once again lacks objectivity and balance.
The PNC set up a disciplinary committee before which Mr James Mc Allister was summoned. He elected not to attend. His irresponsible action must be strongly condemed, because he is an elected representative of the people.
He always has a moral duty to defend his actions to satisfy all who might have voted for him as against a party list headed by Mr RHO Corbin, whom all candidates strongly supported. He was found guilty as charged. He even had an opportunity to appeal.
Wasn’t this demonstrated arrogance? To date, I have not heard that the leader of the party was chairman of the committe or a member.
My understanding is that the committee’s findings were conveyed, and those findings and perhaps the recommendations influenced the thoughts of the leaders. Mr Corbin must then have informed the Speaker of the House that the party, not the leader per se, was invoking the constitutional provision, Article 156(3) (c), revoking Mr McAllister’s appointment.
I now turn attention to the blame now being placed at Mr Corbin’s feet and no other party functionary, by Vincent Alexander in particular, and by McAllister, for the loss of votes and seats to Raphael Trotman and the Alliance for Change in the last general elections.
It is said that if something is repeated often enough, it will come to be accepted as truth, no matter if on closer examination it can be shown to be patently incorrect. So it is with the perception surrounding Mr Raphael Trotman’s teaming up with Mr Khemraj Ramjattan.
Did Mr Trotman leave the PNC because of Mr Corbin? Mr Trotman might have had differences with Mr Corbin. This was never made public. What is certain is that he left the PNC.
I have no doubt that Raphael Trotman would not have been a member of ‘Team Alexander.’ Neither Messrs Winston Murray nor Basil Williams. Alexander and McAllister now take a holier than thou posture.
I understand that McAllister resides and works in the United States of America while receiving a parliamentary salary for not representing the people in parliamentary sessions. If Mr Corbin hadn’t had him withdrawn from Parliament, the government MPs and other non-PNCR MPs would have accused Mr Corbin of impropriety. Isn’t this one of the mischiefs and abuses Article 156(3) (c) seeks to supress? Mr McAllister for no other reason is properly withdrawn.
Finally, Mr McAllister calls for Mr Winston Murray to become a transitional leader. On the other hand Mr Burke speaks of Hoyte grooming Trotman to be leader. A few questions must be raised for the public. (1) Why did Hoyte and the party executive opt for Corbin and not Alexander? Hoyte removed Alexander from Region 3. (2) Were Alexander and/or McAllister ever supportive of Murray or Trotman as leader? If not, Why not?
Messrs Rickford Burke,Vincent Alexander and James McAllister have all exposed themselves as poor, visionless political engineers.
Yours faithfully
Melanie Morrison
Melanie Morrison? I have been a PNC insider for over 2 decades and never heard this name, but I did hear these views coming from Robert Corbin. UMmmmmmmmmmm so I wonder???????????????
Ms. Morrison, you guys need to insult, a corbinite excuse for intellect.
This is quite a vindictive and disgraceful act by the current leadership of the PNC. Can you explain why this recall bill has been the only thing Corbin and Jagdeo agreed to….can you explain why they have never agreed on a single national issue.
Melanie well put. I do hope all those who were questioning Mc Allister removal from Parliament get the true picture of that guy.
It is indeed many “lacks objectivity” because of their personal objectives. The few who has Leadership aspiration will do any thing and every thing to get what they want. That has made them blind for not seeing how that will in time damaging their image and the PNCR Party as a whole.
What is sad the same Rockford Burke the one time Assistant to Mr Hoyte, have known the same people he refer to as Leader was discipline by Mr Hoyte (You would have had some knowledge of that). Ironically the same Burke who finding all excuses and fault Mr Corbin’s Leadership. As a reminder to you Burke is the same people went after Mr Hoyte to step down as Leader, you were his assistant, or have you forgotten that?
Yes indeed, since Mc Allister recommended Mr Murray as interim Leader, you really mean that? Do you really want Murray as the PNCR Leader? Were any of you were in Support of Trotman as Leader of the PNCR? (Trotman knows better).
As for the other name that singing in the air Van West Charles is laughable. This man vanishes after Burhnam pass away. He now entitle for a retirement, to my understanding he now seeing it fit to returning home to hold some sort of position in the PNCR Party. How convention. How much have Van West Charles contributed to the Party since Mr Hoyte was President/Opposition Leader and the same to Mr Corbin?
Two wrong cannot make a right- Mc Allister did not attended Parliament, he has been receiving a Salary from Parliament and working in the USA and Burke accusing Mr Corbin for removing him from Parliament. Rockford Burke need to be reminded that the discipline who recommended Mc Allister unfit to represent the people in Parliament and asked that he be removed.
Birds it seems to me that you have a personal fight with James Mac. Do us a favour. Leave this blog, Go find him, trash it out.
When you are leaving take Corbin with you. James might have a few things to teach him, i.e if he is capable of learning.
did u say Melanie Cornette and Mr. Morrison woild know about that? Wasn’t your girl Lurlene recieving a parliamentary salary for over 2 yrs. I did not notice your comment on the Stabroek News editorial i guess all those people left because they ‘lack objectivety’
The gov’t must see to it that McAllister pay
back the money that was depositing into his bank account each
month. McAllister is living and working in the U.S.A and collecting “free” money, 100,000 each month from the guyanese people that he is not representing. This is three month pay for some hard-working/poor people.
Shame on you McAllister.
What the hell is this “Birds” or “Beni” trying to say? Is she using Elglish Grammer or Grammer’s English?
Politics as usual, “Open the door,ley de man come in, all a we a wan family,” a total change is needed in Guyana, don’t be fooled, come next election, it would be the same. All of them r in there for the same fight, “More money and power.”
why are all these frustration With mr R corbin.jagdeo has nothing to do with Mr McAllister no longer an mp.