The two main challengers to incumbent PNCR leader Robert Corbin are expected to announce an alliance today.
With just a day before the start of the main opposition’s 16th Biennial Congress, Stabroek News understands that an agreement has been reached between nominees for leader Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and Winston Murray. Van West-Charles and Murray are scheduled to hold a joint press conference this afternoon, where it is expected that Van West-Charles would announce his withdrawal from the race and his endorsement of Murray.
Stabroek News has been told that their partnership is an indication of various persons uniting around a common purpose to rescue the party. Additionally, there has been concern that the separate campaigns could split the vote, ensuring a Corbin victory. The current leader has so far received the highest number of nominations from party groups.
Murray’s recent decision to run is seen as an important development in light of the disaffection with the Corbin’s leadership and the need for the party to present a new image to the public in the wake of several demoralising occurrences, and in particular the crushing defeat at the 2006 general elections. He has said he accepted the nomination for party leader after being encouraged to do so by a number of persons within the PNCR. Last year, he resigned as Chairman of the party and stated as his reason the party’s public departure from a position he took while acting as party leader.
Murray recently said that the leadership of the party has become “impotent,” which has led to disrespect by the government. In an impassioned but short address at the Georgetown District Conference, he said that was “hurt” when he sees how the government has no regard for the party and opined that it has been mainly due to the weak leadership. Admitting that he also has to take some blame for the weak leadership as up to recently he was part of it, Murray called for a militant approach by the party and called on its leadership to take its membership to the streets. This statement resulted in loud applause from the very vocal audience at the conference.
However, he lamented that when the party called for its members to take to the streets, many stay at home.
Meanwhile, Van West-Charles earlier in the month noted that over the last five years the PNCR has suffered precipitous diminution, affecting its ability to effectively fulfil its mandate. “The steady departure of talented and established leaders from the ranks of the Party has now reached crisis proportions and is resulting in disconnect between the Party and its constituency,” he told members in a letter, canvassing for their support. “Over this period there have been several changes in the leadership team giving support to the Leader but the problem still persists.
It is now clear that there is need for a new Leader who can motivate Party members at all levels to give their best effort. We must reunite and rebuild our Party,” he said.
The part needs new leadership. I support what these two men are trying to do.
Mack what ever it takes to give Guyanese hope and trust for a new era for all Guyanese. The decadent leadership of Robert Corbin have permeated the political landscape of Guyana for too long. The time for divisive leadership and avoidance of the issues have been left open ended for too long.
Go delegates of the PNCR give your children and the national will new hope, elect elect Aubrey Norton Chairman, Winston Murray party leader, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, General Secretary of the PNCR.
If the PNC were not receiving taxpayers money to be called the main parliamentary opposition, I couldn’t be bothered what it does. But for its MPs to be drawing down hundreds of thousands of dollars every month (Corbin alone gets about 400k a month), and given that the PNC has allowed the Jagdeo regime to do what it has been doing in the name of governance, I think everyone has to speak uop and put pressure on Corbin to quit now or face a devastating defeat in 2011 that would be the equivalent of him quitting. Corbin’s only hope right now is Jagdeo, whom he hopes to spring a surprise on the nation by asking for a third term with the help of the PNCs MPs in exchange for offering Corbin teh slot of Prime Ministership. Jagdeo’s excuse at that time could easily be that it was something the PPP was long considering before Cheddi and Janet passed away, but it would be the excuse that could spell the beginning of an expanded and entrenched dictatorship.
I don’t know what is Murray’s vision for the party and or the nation, but I did offer a view on this blog space that said even if Van West is not eligible for the presidency because he was not in Guyana for the last seven years, at least he could support Murray for the post of party leader and presidential candidate. Whether he read the blog or it was pure coincidence I don’t know, but let’s see where this Murray-Van West Charles teaming up will lead. Meanwhile, the AFC is still the most potent alternative to the PPP and PNC, so we will have to wait and see what impact the Murray-Van West move will have on the AFC’s chances in 2011.
This more looks like “high school boys’ and boy scouts’ politics” (including that playing out with the current PPP Government Administration) to me!
I applaud mr. van west for his strategic move, in unity there is indeed strenght.
Amenera ! What strategic move by Mr. Van West Charles? He had no other viable option. He would have lost to Mr. Corbin and suffer humiliation. Check out his ruse about ’systematic falsification and ‘padding’ of the membership’s list. Has Mr. Murray complained in that regard ? I would not be surprised if Mr. Corbin is also supporting Mr. Murray’s candidacy. Easy to decipher.
While PNC members back bite one another, look at what Pres. Jagdeo is doing:
http://www.guyanachronicle.com/
Corbin will “NOT” support Mr Murray to be the leader of the
PNC party. he will more support him for Chairmanship.
It was said that Corbin is rutting for Dr Aubrey Armstrong
as the person for the 2011 elections as the PNC Presidential candidate Georgie.
It’s too late and beyond the healing powers of even Winston Murray. This party must wither, die and disappear. I can just imagine King Kong beating his chest as the present politburo do everything to remain in power.
Let’s get real, if the PNC must “wither” “die” and “disappear”, then we must allow the incompetent PPP to do the same. Seventeen years of destruction of the worst kind is totally unacceptable. The country has now become equal to Haiti, poor, mismanaged and corrupt.
The Burnham years are far superior than the PPP years. The country had less crime, more stability, and better respect around the world.
Guyanese deserve intellectual leadership and should demand it!
Intelligent Guyanes around the globe have long recognized the horrible propaganda the PPP used against the PNC. Guyanese are now rejecting the slander and standing up against such propaganda. It time to change the dynamics of the political atmosphere prevailing in the country and create a stable environment for the citizens.
It’s horrifying to see the low standard of education, the dilapidated infrastructure and total disrespect for the rule of law. Guyanese deserve a better way of living, it is obvious the PPP is incapable of giving it to them.
You obviously did not live through the Burnham era to minimize his reign to ‘PPP propaganda’ How were the Burnham years superior? I really would like to know. No lights, no communication, limited media, Guy-lines, kick down the door bandits. Day to day life was miserable.
Calling for the demise of the P.N.C. should not be construed as support for the P.P.P. They are rotten fish in the same basket.
decoder they will continue to win, well the peehencee, let us sit and watch.
THEY ARE LIKE CATS AND DOGS RIGHT NOW, well will observe from the side lines.
Decoder – are you serious? Its one thing to critize the PPP but something else to extoll the great PNC years. You must have held a great position in that government. LHU
DECODER,,,You have to Visit Guyana now and you will realize it is far from what is in your mind now,,, I am not sure which Guyana you are speaking about. If you were update with the developments in Guyana you would have surely recognised that the PPP has won 4 elections outright and heading for another victory in 2011 and that speaks volume of the Guyanese…Not sure which majority you speaking about…
I can see clearly that a victory for Mr Corbin is what will hasten the fulfilment of your request.It will also endanger any hopes that Guyana will return to the rule of law! The current administration needs a smart, robust and determined opposition. That will never happen under Mr Corbin.
Decoder,
Looks like you have too many bugs in your algorithm. Guyana equal to Haiti in poverty? Here is some useful information:
World Poverty Rankings
Country Sources
IMF World Bank CIA Factbook
Guyana 126 118 136
Haiti 123 145 157
Can anyone see a cat fight brewing here!!!Things are going to get nasty here,even a split-up is possible but it is all a bit too late to resurrect the PNC.
Catfight is a fight between women, Witch Dr. What is shaping up at the PNC congress is more repugnant than a dogfight.
Not “cat fight”… I see crabs in a barrel
Mr 71,it was implied rather than stated.Political fights are always dirty,catfight or dogfight..still dirty.
well done Dr.van west charles you and mr.winston murray this is what the people need in guyana.mr.corbin please step down.
Shuffle the deck and then you come up with a new leader. Is this a sign that young people are not interested in leadership/politics or they are just not being given the chance to step up? On the PPP side it is the same thing too as we watch Rohee, Nagamootoo and others jostle each other for position to become the presidential candidate. I wish the day would come when those 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s politicians would just go away. We have seen where their policies have led that country and now they want to continue. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result(Albert Einstein).Watch what you do and how you vote Guyana.
I would like to see this too, but then we put a young one in with the PPP and he turn out worse than the old ones.
Mr. Cummins ! Is it a function of the person ( politician) or, moreso, a function of the policies of the political party in power? And , most young people all over the world, are not concerned about politics. It’s about living and living well.
“Admitting that he also has to take some blame for the weak leadership as up to recently he was part of it, Murray called for a militant approach by the party and called on its leadership to take its membership to the streets.”-Murray
Is this as creative as he can be? He is supposed to be one of the smarter of the bunch. Anytime the PNC takes to the street they lose public opinion.
What about using Parliament, the courts, and public opinion to “expose” the PPP? Stabroek is looking for any piece of information it can use to embarass the govt. and another newspaper no longer even pretends to practice journalism.
Guyanese are HUNGRY, Very Hungry to go on the streets,
but “NOT” with Corbin leading them, if the PNC should
get a new leader of party at this weekend congress and he,
the new leader take the streets it will be just as big or
bigger when Desmond Hoyte was the MAN.
Murray is right, I agree him. Militancy is what this PPP
Government want Corbin don’t have it my friend Truth.
Most of the people who are so busy fighting for the top position have never visitied half of the communities in Guyana to see the plight, living conditions of the ordinary man in Guyana or share a discussion with villagers apart from Mr Corbin who i know have done so,now is it right for people in this time in Guyana be intersted in politicians in Guyana when the rich have nothing to worry about and the poor is drounding in poverty with no sence of direction to get out of their situation PNC/R what happen to the grass roots base that was so instrumental in giving up so many votes it is time to invest in those areas like you did in the past not fight among each other just a few votes gets you no where inclusion of the entire nation does.
Richard great move!
This move from within the PNCR is long overdue. The disconnection is between the leaders of the party and the younger generation. The PNCR has failed tremendously to cultivate the young and bright minds and the restless youths of Guyana, and needs to embark on a path that that will have inclusiveness of all, regardless of race, color, creed or gender.
The party needs to attract women in particular, women of strong character, whose mandate would be to go out en masse to all corners of Guyana (not just the city and the close areas) to recruit members without false promises.
Get to the disenfranchised youths; Make them your priority. Don’t make false promises just to get their votes.
Members, roll-up your sleeves, go to the areas you are afraid to go. Meet the people, press flesh, ask for their help in the task that is before you. Take time to explain what you will do for them with their votes if it is given to you.
Stop making false promises and being reactive, start being proactive for the people!
“Murray called for a militant approach by the party and called on its leadership to take its membership to the streets”
Statements like this drives fear into the minds on Indians because of past history. I don’t know what Murray was (or wasn’t) thinking.