Dear Editor,
Permit me, please, to share a few thoughts on the state of the main opposition party in Guyana.
To begin with-and to be brutally candid-there is no opposition in Guyana today. There is no significant group that is vibrant and cohesive; or that is recognized and respected as a difference maker on the issues and developments of the day. To many, this would be a restatement of the obvious. How and why is this so?
First, there is the public spectacle of internal dynamics, conflicts, and ethical challenges which has whittled away at the limited credibility of the main party. What may be a source of glee in some circles can only have serious implications in the larger national context. Second, and more importantly, the party has maintained an insistence on its overwhelming Blackness to the detriment of its image, its projections, and its possible place in the political landscape. Even more importantly, the opposition has been tepid and patently artificial on the supremely burning issue on matters of race. For reasons unknown, it is reluctant-even fearful-to go deep and beyond into the necessary political commitments in this most significant of areas. It is conceivable that instead of the reasons being unknown, they might just be inimical to the party’s interest; or counter to the prevailing dominant philosophies.
All of this has contributed to the relegation of the main opposition to the sorry place that it finds itself; however, it is the latter two points from above that have become its very visible Achilles Heels. In too many instances, the party has become a government prop, all purpose bogeymen, and conveniently available spectre. A spectre that can be summoned at will to be pointed to, whispered about and retreated from.
What, if anything, can the main opposition do, especially given history and the political arithmetic? Perhaps, the more relevant question is: what is it interested in doing and becoming?
It is my belief that it has to conduct a full scale reinvention of itself. Its metamorphosis must be more revolutionary than evolutionary in nature. It must embrace new faces in pivotal places; it must adopt new tactics and strategies; it must endeavour (really endeavour) to win hearts and minds. And it must resonate with a different message and vision. In sum, the party must represent a new and distinct departure from the one of present vintage. It is as simple, and as complex, as this.
The opposition must have the discipline and patience and political willingness to persuade and overcome through means alien and unanticipated by the state. It must be vociferous, but not violent; it must confuse the state apparatus without confronting it; it must want the city crowded and observant, and not empty and fearful.
As an example, it can start by recalling the lessons of bus and salt from Birmingham and India. Protests do not have to be exercises in intimidation; or an opportunity for looting. In Birmingham, the only weapons present were in the hands of the O’Connors. In India, backs were bowed for the descending strike at the hands of the uniformed khaki line. The message from those two movement and forces and times is that legitimacy and support grows not through drawn daggers, but drawn out paralysis.
The convergence of tactics and strategies must be the embodiment of the message, vision, commitment, and action of any opposition dedicated to revitalization; particularly this opposition. Else it risks being the continued butt of Link Show jokes; of being seen as a pawn-and in some circles an appendage-of the ruling party.
It is clear that the opposition has to start all over. There has to be internal conversion first, followed by sustained and concerted manifestations of outreach and inclusiveness, and advancing resolutely with a disclosed agenda.
If not the opposition will find itself reduced even further to being a caricature and an irrelevancy. A caricature and an irrelevancy with a single fallback option to influence the course of events. Surely, it should already know all of this, and does not need me to enlighten its brain trust.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
