-Ming, Van West-Charles, Norton on board
Former PNCR Chairman Winston Murray yesterday picked up key endorsements to strengthen his candidacy as he became the sole challenger to incumbent Robert Corbin for the leadership of the main opposition party.
At a joint news conference hosted at the Pegasus Hotel, the other nominee for leader Dr Richard Van West-Charles announced he would pull out of the race and back Murray’s candidacy, urging that delegates at the PNCR’s 16th Biennial Congress throw their full support behind him as well. “The aim is to bring about unity within our party and it means opening our doors to all those who wish to participate with us,” Murray declared to loud applause by supporters, who included current executives as well as former members of the party’s Reform component and Vincent Alexander’s aborted 2007 leadership campaign.
Murray’s candidacy is seen as a significant development in light of the disaffection with 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. Among those present to show their support for Murray yesterday were MPs Aubrey Norton, Debra Backer and Mervyn Williams, former MPs Dr Dalgleish Joseph and James McAllister, Reform co-founders Stanley Ming and Artie Ricknauth and several party stalwarts. It was indicated that former Reform members have pledged their support and would be willing to return to work with the party. Former Vice-Chairman Alexander, who along with supporters withdrew from the party last year, was also expected to attend to endorse Murray’s bid for leadership but he was said to be at an emergency meeting at the University of Guyana.
Team Murray? Candidate for PNCR leader Winston Murray (centre) addressing reporters during a news conference yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel. At left is Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who announced his withdrawal from the race for leader yesterday. Also in photo is Reform co-founder Stanley Ming, who said he and former members are willing to return to work with Murray. (Jules Gibson photo)
Norton, who was also nominated to be leader, said he decided to support Murray and had been encouraging him to run for the post like Van West-Charles. Murray said he was humbled by the support and he praised Van West-Charles’ selflessness. “I regard [him] as someone who has truly demonstrated that he understands that this is not about self but it is about our party, and even more importantly our country,” he stated, noting that Van West-Charles had indicated his support for his candidacy two years ago, though at the time he had no desire to run. Since then, he explained, there have been circumstances and events that have brought about a change on his part.
He resigned as Chairman last year, citing the party’s public departure from a position he took while acting as party leader in the absence of Corbin. However, he was averse to speak about the contest between him and Corbin as a personal one, saying he has a view about where the party ought to go and is offering it to delegates and members. He emphasised, “I don’t see myself as running against anybody. I am running for something! And I hope in running for something I can take people along with me who have a similar vision of what we are running for.”
Murray noted that the response to the publicity given to his decision to contest for leader has been overwhelming. “At the end of the day, I saw it not as a personal thing, but as something I should do in the interest of the party and in the broader interest of the country, ultimately,” he added, while expressing confidence about victory.
Addressing the concerns about electoral preparations for the congress, he said that no system would be perfect and he noted that Van West-Charles had been addressing such issues with the relevant persons in the party. “I would like to leave it to that and say that up to the very moment before elections take place we hope that there will be opportunity and willingness to do what is necessary to … ensure that the [PNCR] comes out of its electoral process better than it went into it,” he stated.
In the race: Candidate for PNCR leader Winston Murray and some of his supporters at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday. (Photo by Jules Gibson)
Although he conceded that the society remains polarised along ethnic lines, Murray sought to downplay the impact that race would have on the contest with Corbin. (The previous day the party’s Vice-Chairman Basil Williams said he would be willing to step aside to facilitate the candidacy of an Indo-Guyanese for that post.) “The PNC has a unique opportunity to demonstrate to all of Guyana that we are truly a party of inclusivity by putting someone of my ethnic background, so to speak, in the highest office within the party,” Murray said. He further noted that in his 30 years of experience in the party, he has received nothing but unconditional love and affection and an open embrace from the rank and file of the party membership. “I, therefore, am reinforced by that display of openness and love and respect for me that at the end of the day it would be matters of that kind rather than anything to do with ethnicity that will determine whether I succeed in my bid to be leader of the [PNCR],” he added.
‘Put party first’
Van West-Charles, a former Health Minister in the PNC administration as well as the son-in-law of the party’s founder leader Forbes Burnham, had indicated his interest in contesting for leadership at the start of the year.
In announcing his decision, he urged all participants at the congress to “seize the moment to selflessly put the party first” and to “contribute to this collective effort to retool, reorganise and reenergise” the PNCR. He explained that he decided to contest for the post of leader in light of the concerns of members all across the country about the PNCR’s weak leadership. However, despite a strong and encouraging response, he said he maintained contact with all persons interested in repositioning, reforming and re-energising the party, including Murray. He noted that over the last two years, he has been engaging Murray on the issue of the party leadership, that they discussed wide ranging issues and agreed on a broad vision for the rebuilding and retooling the party for government in 2011. “We are fully aware that our vision can only be realised with change in leadership and that this change can be better achieved if one candidate faces the incumbent,” he explained, before announcing his decision to support Murray, whom he said has the requisite credentials to lead the party. “It is my conviction that with him standing as the candidate for leader of the party, the forces for change and reorganisation stand an excellent chance of prevailing at the forthcoming congress,” he added.
According to Van West-Charles, the party must be in a position not only to excite the people of Guyana by a new vision and new hope but to also end the “nightmare” of the PPP/C government and place the country on a new developmental path. Saying that the Bharrat Jagdeo administration and the ruling PPP/C have been trying to destroy the PNCR and claim parts of its political base, he stressed the need to reorganise and reenergise the party. “We must empower our membership by ensuring their involvement in decision making at all levels and building their capacities both personally and collectively,” he said, while pointing out that his partnership with Murray would give renewed hope of change to all members and supporters of the party. In particular, he emphasised the need to reinvigorate the youth and women’s arms of the PNCR, noting their significant contributions to its development and expansion.
Speaking about his future, Van West-Charles said the withdrawal of his candidacy for leader did not mean that his work for change would come to an end and indicated that he would be willing to serve in any other capacity in keeping with the wishes of the party’s electorate. He did, however, rule out contesting for the chairmanship, noting that he only accepted the nominations for party leader and member of the Central Executive Committee. Norton said he would contest the other positions he had been nominated for.
‘Re-invigorated Reform’
Reform co-founder, Ming, who shared the head table, said his presence was an indication of his unconditional support for Murray’s candidacy as leader. He recalled that the Reform members had withdrawn from the PNCR in the run up to the last general elections. “At the time we did not feel we could contribute in a way we would have liked in the political process,” he said, adding, Murray’s leadership bid has given them renewed hope that they could work with the party to bring about the change in the political culture the nation has been longing for. “We are ready, willing and, I think, somewhat capable to support him to bring about the kind of culture that is needed in the politics of Guyana that embraces us not as Indo-, Afro- or any other combination, but as Guyanese,” Ming declared, saying that everyone should be able to participate in the decision-making process that influences the well-being of the people’s lives and ensures that they have a stake. He was confident, pointing out that since his withdrawal from political life he has continued to work quietly in the background with many former colleagues in the party, who share similar interests and objectives about the direction of the politics of Guyana. “I sit here, ready and willing to work as hard as ever to ensure that not only does Mr Murray succeed in his bid for the leadership of the PNC but more so that Mr Murray will lead this country and a new political culture into the next election that will bring victory to all Guyanese, not a particular group,” Ming said.
Although the Reform component has been formally integrated into the party, apart from Dr George Norton none of its original members are involved in the party. In addition to Ming, Eric Phillips, Jerome Khan, Peter Ramsaroop, Dr Mark Kirton and Supriya Singh also left the party. Singh, Ming revealed, is supportive of Murray as leader.
Murray served as a senior minister and deputy prime minister in the PNC administration between 1985 and 1992. He also served as head of the Presidential Secretariat, head of the Department of International Economic Cooperation, and permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade. Murray also had a stint in diplomatic service at Guyana’s Embassy in Brussels. He has been an MP for the PNC since 1985 and served as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee until May 2006.
Corbin will “win” and he will ultimately go down as the most despised political figure in Guyana’s history. And those who would have aided and abetted him to “win” should be blamed for this one-party rule system of govt that we have now.
So you are saying; if Corbin wins The PNC’s nomination, the PPP wins the election? You don’t have any faith in the AFC?
Don’t hold your breath.
Gap..
At this critical point in the partie’s evolution, Corbin will no longer be a player after Saturday. the winds of change is blowing in the right direction.
Yes, we all understand the PEEPEEPEE is old, tired, and maligned;time for the trash heap.
The intellectual massing of positive support from guyanese towards is the talk of the Diaspora. The antogonists can try to diminish the PNC as much as the wish, but there is no stopping a speeding train going in the RIGHT direction.
The propaganda machinery is outdated and not working; sensible Guyanese have rejected this maligning.
Governments change thruogh democratic process.It is time for a change, not the same old, same old. Good riddance to bad garbage. Good riddance to corruption, crime, poor governance, deplorable infrastructure, potholes, blackouts, extra judical killings, death squads, floods, poor educational standards, racism, terrible agriculture, transportation, PPP.
U.S. intervention in British Guiana: a Cold War story
By Stephen G. Rabe,
well this will give a clear insight why they love to/trained to rig elections and stole elections.
CS, AFC will get the votes of Guyanese across racial lines in the next elections, both PPP and PNC supporters who are just fed up with racial politics because they are non-racial and all-Guyana.
PPP/PNC are one, the one-party rule. Remember when they were both called the PPP?
Decoder: ” Governments change thruogh democratic process.It is time for a change, not the same old, same old. Good riddance to bad garbage. Good riddance to corruption, crime, poor governance, deplorable infrastructure, potholes, blackouts, extra judical killings, death squads, floods, poor educational standards, racism, terrible agriculture, transportation, PPP”
Decoder, if you’re so into this positive change, and I admire you, your quest for honor in govt, then support the Alliance For Chance.
Gap1,
Not to worry.
I think I speak for a lot of traditional Indian PPP voters, that if given the choice, we would rather vote AFC than PNC. Even if there is an Indian at the top of the PNC ticket.
cant wait 4 this paty to brukup
csingh
There are those of us who are fed up with incompetency and corruption within the PPP. We want to change it’s leadership and composition. If we don’t the PPP will go the way of the PNC. Irrelevant!
I feel a great sense of relief when I read that Mr. Murray has gotten the endorsement of Ming and other members of the reform group. This speaks well for the party. It is time for the old stalwarts to turn a new page, so I am calling on the Delegates to this 16th congress, and the wider Guyanese society please give critical support to Mr. Murray candidacy for PNC party leader. Time for CHANGE DOWN WITH THE OLD POLITICS OF ROBERT CORBIN. LONG LIVE PROGRESSIVE will NOW COME to GUYANA.
DELGATES I AM PRAYING FOR A SUCESSFUL CONGRESS WITH MEANINGFUL DELIBERATIONS.
Prof, the endorsements of Ming and Van West Charles I can understand, but Norton’s endorsement reminds me of times when Norton and Vincent Alexander made joint media appearances to answer questions and talk about the PNC in the political arena. Then when Alexander decided to contest for the party leader’s position, Norton sided with Corbin and left Alexander in the lurch. Can Murray, Van West and Ming afford to trust Norton?
Mkhan: Fear of real physical harm from the supporters of the P.N.C. is a potent weapon that the P.P.P. leaders trots out at every election. This scare tactic has always worked and I expect to see some direct provocation to make this a reality just before 2011.
Dandy Andy could it be that Norton learnt from his mistake?
I do not support Norton either and Alexander is no true leader also as he kept silence for two straight years while the party he was hoping to lead fall further to pieces. poor leadership. Again give Mr. Murry a chance to put the PNC back on the map.
This rearrangement of the chairs on the deck of the Titanic is not enough to save the ship from disaster. The P.N.C. is a damaged brand and although Mr. Murray has decency and integrity on his side, the party will still be seen as an Afro-centric party, inimical to the interest of supporters of the P.P.P.. Murray as I said yesterday will be seen as “Window Dressing” to attract Indian voters but the emotions of fear and the heritage and latent beliefs in the caste system will override this slick tactic. It’s identity politics and the P.P.P. fear machine will soon be in overdrive. It’s a patronizing move. The two old school political parties must be disregarded for the good of Guyana.
Re: “The two old school political parties must be disregarded for the good of Guyana….”
So, what’s your worse alternative – “Dougla Pork Pepperpot” instead of Garlic “Pork”!
And, “Never Say Never”!
Porky,i have to agree with you here,and what about the magical appearance of the ‘R’?They seem like opportunist.
BP, I know it’s hard to give the benefit of the doubt to the old (discredited) parties, but I believe that Mr Murray as leader of the PNC could be the start of real change in that party.
If he were nominated for leadership of the PPP I would say the same for that party.
For me it’s yes to Murray, yes to change.
As far as I’m concern the ‘r’ and the ‘c’ are both farce. They main parties only throwing dust in people’s eyes.
Give it to them again, Borapork, for the second day running! I am ignoring your last sentence, though.
Yo “Witch Dr.” and “Galton Flood”! The mysterious re-appearance of de “R” and “C” are the results of re-awakening of the “Black (C)aiman” that was under de Palm Tree. Now, ya all don’t have to be champion Spelling B’s to know dat ya can find de “P” at de beginning ah de spelling ah duh certain word dat describes de tree. Just take a good look again at dem letters (try erasing slanted stroke in de “R”… which is the work in progress); and, there ya will have it – (P)alm Tree (”N”) (C)aiman – PNC!
How about if we call it de “Burnham Magic!
Next stop – The L. F. S. Burnham International Airport!
BORAPORK,
Nice choice of words. In your quest to find the appropriate words to illustrate your thoughts, you misused a few.
Please explain or elaborate on “…the emotions of fear and the heritage and latent beliefs in the caste system…”.
I cannot understand what the reference to “caste system” has to do with anything Indian and the PNC.
Re: “I cannot understand what the reference to “caste system” has to do with anything Indian and the PNC….”
It is quite convincing that this dude has absolutely nothing better to do with his time (and, is locked in a time warp) as “racism passed for grass” for some a long time ago.
Re: http://www.genealogymagazine.com/luckhoo.html
As Dougla descendants of the above mentioned dynasty…. do ya what ya saying make any “sense” to us!!!
“Time For Change”!
Hi Bora:
Your comments are interesting and thought provoking:
-if, as you imply that ‘the emotions of fear’ are relevant to Indian(s) (voters) then ‘the heritage and latent beliefs in the caste system’ are also real and acknowledged, bypassing the misconceptions, propagated by some, of the caste system.
So the Indian (voter) can only vote by race, culture, ethnicity and self-interest!?
Where does that put the Indian Muslim, -Christian, -Agnostic?
Doesn’t any other race/ethnicity/culture also have ‘the emotions of fear’ or is that exclusive to (now we can say it) the Hindus?
This is a good sign of better to come, go murray go.
A good start at bridging the devide. This obviously spells trouble for the AFC. Samaroo et al. will have to step up their attacks.
c singh he is worried about the protest, in front the FEECEE office.
his objective to demoralized the PPP has bit him in d a49045.
Any bets??? Robert Corbin wins this by far…Them tactics cannot work now Van West Charles…
Matlock,if it is change we are looking for why are the same “politrickians” being recycled?
CS, you PPP men that afraid of the AFC?
wd how about stepping in and be the new face, you can also be a candidate if you feel that way.
HEY AMENRA, CHECK THIS OUT GO MURRAY GO NO WHERE.
EVEN IF MR. MURRAY CAN PULL THAT OFF THE PNC WILL GET LESS VOTES.
THEIR VOTES WILL GO TO AFC. (NOT RAMJATAN)
FACE IT . THE PNC IS NOW NULL AND VOID.
SN. ARE YOU GOING TO CUT THIS LIKE YOU CUT ALL OF MY BLOGS.????
Murray is a man of character Ceasing, that is something you and your PPP will have to come to grips with.
I am not interested in attacking anyone except those who commit crimes and are corrupt to the hilt. We will continue to expose the poo poo poo and carbin day in day out.
Baby jesus on the Murray ticket will sink the boat no need for attacking anyone.
Soldier the PPP better do some kind of fasting to hope corbin win because corbin is what the PPP needs in there to help them continue the nonsense they were carrying on with these past 17 years.
PRay budday pray keeep praying you might have to send carbin for another gall bladder vacation soon. hahhahah
This is strategic masterpiece and will deliver Guyana from the miasma of PPP mismanagement and corruption. I want to thank Dr. Van West Charles for putting party and country over self. Now let us step up the membership drive and welcome all disaffected Indo-Guyanese into the party. The PPP is not about supporting and protecting Indo-Guyanese. It is about enriching the few under the pretense and pretext of protecting Indo-Guyanese. I wish Mr Murray all success and all of God’s blessings as he embarks upon a journey of redeeming our dear land of Guyana. You can be assured of the support of every decent, right thinking Guyanese. Mr. Corbin for the sake of a PNC/Reform victory please resign with dignity than face defeat with ignominy.
You are in dreamland my friend!!
Johnny send him some of your dreaming techniques.
Hip hip hip hoooooray I am elated my Guyanese brothers and sisters
with the decision of mr van west Charles and others to throw their
full support behind mr Winston Murray i think with mr Murray leading
the pnc/r Guyanese stand a better chance to reclaim Guyana from
the blind and visionless ppp regime and to restore Guyana to it’s
former glory and respect in the world , mr Murray you have all
of our support in the diaspora and at home, we shall over come
we shall over come some day ….
since i’m a kid i heard that song.
well murray cannot attract his neighbour votes much less the rest
ehehehehehehehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
This is the beginning of the death of the PNCR Turbo…This is a worst case sinerio, it is a sure victory for Robert Corbin and the beginning of the beak away and mashing up of the PNCR,,,The AFC has a credibility problem in Guyana right now, I see a group of concern Guyanese protesting them terribly, their credibility is hanging on a thread now, another disaster in the making…
Samaroo ,, I am sorry for you my friend, you can get back your job at Foreign Affairs if you bahave yourself,,I will speak with the Honourable Mrs Burkett for you…
TURBO.
YOU HAVE ME WONDERING.
WHAT FORMER GLORY ARE YOU REFERING TO???????????????????????/
Soldieer I am so excited that you are obsessed with me and the AFC just like your boys in freedumb house.
This is great, it is showing that we are putting a dent in your so called unbeatable poo poo poo.
This piece of window dressing will not work,however an interesting angle to this would be, should Corbie be triumphant would this be an indictment of voting along color lines within the PNC…Hmmmmm.
Go PNC GO!
Remember now – “All Your (PNC Membership) Base Are Belong To US”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksFqjI3gyAo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9oh3gqOEKU
And, there goes “Stanley Ming” with the new and enhanced – (eComStation) for the High Speed Internet Race!
http://www.ecomstation.com/
Can You Do It??? Yes You Can; And, You Will!
“Jobs – Baby – Jobs”!
International Business – Baby – International Business!
You tell em there kai go go go away!
go murray go, sorry for not getting the votes from your neighbor hood,
you know who will never vote for those reform three letters.
Your race baiting ideology is going the way of the dodo bird freespeech. That is exactly the kind of behaviour Guyanese are fed up with.
SN I must commend you for allowing these chaps to really expose themselves for what they are. I know you get criticized from all quarters and your plantain belly moderator has his moments of indigestion but nonetheless thanks.
I applaud the positions taken for leadership of the PNCR by like minded Guyanese who get the picture for the need for change and new hope for Guyanese and Guyana’s children.
Delegates I implore you to vote for Winston Murray, the party that Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham built with fellow patriots is in discord. This apathy was engineered by Robert Corbin who engaged in divisive politics and reckless abandonment of the issues affecting every Guyanese. Intellectual minds were forced out of the PNCR for their principles on vital issues affecting the national economy.
Give Guyana hope, the only option forward is a united opposition against a tyrannical government with utter disregard for good governance and the sacred will of the people. Winston Murray will work using his experience to advance Guyana forward.
Let the cynicism go and send Robert Corbin etal. to private practise where they may be very successful.
Save Guyana. Do the right thing for your children and hope.
Jag, I really think the PNC can do much better if the name of Burnham isn’t so often invoked . The PNC needs a complete make over. Burnham’s PNC still brings back nightmares for many people.
“Jobs – Baby – Jobs”!
I hope the rest of the party can support Murray this is the person to bring a change to tke party and Guyana