In what it describes as a bid to place more power in the hands of the people, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has taken a decision to enter into strategic civic partnerships to contest upcoming local government polls.

The AFC’s partnerships would extend beyond the 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to the six municipalities, party leader Raphael Trotman told Stabroek News. He added that the party is looking strategically to see how best it could partner with civil society groups, leading personalities and other political parties in these areas. However, on the latter point, he cast doubt on potential alliances with either the PPP or the PNCR, saying any such alliance seems unlikely.  “Let us say a party comes to us with a formula that not only sounds good but comes to us with a formula that is meaningful and comprehensive and offers real solutions for the people,” he explained, adding that there is little or no likelihood of the two larger parties approaching. “So, at this point in time, we are not likely to engage with those two, because the indicators are that the two of them seem to be working together and so it will be the AFC and friends versus a joint PPP/PNC slate. Something to that effect is playing out,” he said. Trotman emphasised the need for devolution of power, saying that there is too much of a centralised role and control by and from politicians and political parties in the day-to-day lives of people. He cited continuing advocacy for power sharing and shared governance, saying it has to begin at the bottom and work its way up. “At the local government [level] there should be less heavy political participation and involvement,” he added. According to him, there is need for a relaxing of the “stranglehold” that the political parties have over representatives in local authorities like NDC, explaining that the first criterion should be the ability to serve well as opposed to political affiliation. “There should be less heavy political participation and involvement and more of the people’s initiatives should come to the fore and we would like to support, therefore, as many of these initiatives across the country as possible without playing a dominating or domineering role,” he declared. He said too, “We believe at this point in time there is too much involvement and a decision as to whether or not a footbridge should be built across a canal or trench should best be left to the village elders or the NDC rather than it having to come from party headquarters.”

The AFC had been considering civic partnerships since persons have shown interest in collaboration at the local government level without political alignment. Trotman said where the party finds groups that are willing to stand up to the status quo, it would support them. The polls would be the first under a hybrid electoral system that would be equal parts first past the post and proportional representation. Trotman explained that as a result, the AFC would offer support to civic groups working on their own as well as enter into partnerships with those that are interested. “We would be willing to come in as an equal partner–not as a dominating partner but as an equal,” he said.