Dear Editor,
Finally, there emerges from the PNCR, someone whom most Guyanese would support in his quest to become our next executive president. I am very pleased indeed that Winston Murray has announced his candidacy, and I sincerely hope that the wisdom of the PNCR General Council prevails over the usual party politics. Here are four reasons why all Guyanese should embrace Winston Murray’s candidacy:
1. Honesty and integrity are qualities sadly lacking in most politicians today. Regardless of where one stands on the political spectrum, it is difficult not to admire Murray’s scrupulous professional integrity, and his constant demands for transparency and accountability in government. Where most politicians would make promises they know they can’t deliver on, Winston Murray will always be truthful and accountable to the Guyanese people. He will never compromise his values or the trust of the Guyanese people for his personal gain.
2. Knowledge and experience: Winston Murray attended the London School of Economics, London University BSc (Hons) Econ; the Institute of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC where he obtained a Certificate in Public Finance; and the University of Guyana where he obtained his LLB with credit. He attended Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad where he obtained his Legal Education Certificate. He served as an economist in the Ministry of Trade; Second Secretary in the Guyana Embassy, Brussels, Belgium; Senior Economist/Deputy Secretary to the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry; Head of the Department of International Economic Co-operation at the Office of the President; Guyana’s Head of the Presidential Secretariat; Senior Minister/Deputy Prime Minister – Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry; Guyana’s principal spokesman and negotiator on Caricom affairs; served on the Guyana delegation to the United Nations, New York; served as Guyana’s Alternate Governor to the IMF, IDB and CDB; and performed functions of President of Guyana on two separate occasions.
Murray was awarded Guyana’s Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in 1984. There is no doubt that Guyana will be in safe hands with one so well qualified in all aspects of government. Unlike some leading candidates, Winston Murray will not be needing on-the-job training if elected president… He’s been there, done that!
3. A man of principle: When Murray resigned as PNCR Party Chairman last year, he did not abandon or neglect the political party he served so faithfully for over thirty years, as some would want supporters to believe; it was a principled position he took. PNCR Party Leader Robert Corbin was out of the country, and Murray was acting in his capacity. Murray had essentially supported President Bharrat Jagdeo’s position that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Europe and CARIFORUM was a bad deal for Guyana. President Jagdeo had commended the PNCR for “the strong, firm and positive position” that the party took on the matter. When Corbin returned, the PNCR dropped Murray’s position and called on the government to join the other countries of the Caribbean Community in signing the agreement. As a result of the party’s abandonment of his position on the EPA, Murray expressed his strongly held view that, “It has become impossible for me to continue with any credibility in the office of chairman of the party.” An essential role of the opposition, is to give critical support to the government when they are on the right track; if not they become obstructionist to progress and development. Murray resigned because his and his party’s credibility had been undermined. As president, Winston Murray can be depended upon to work across party lines and make the right decisions for Guyana, and not be influenced into making those that would only benefit a few. He did the right thing.
4. Uniting the races: For much too long, progress and development have been crippled because of racial divides. Guyana is rich in natural resources, but we desperately need a leader who can bring all races together in unity, and work for the prosperity of all Guyanese. I truly believe Winston Murray is that leader. He is a Guyanese of Indian descent, but he has served faithfully and productively in the predominantly black PNCR for over 30 years. If Murray, with all of his qualifications, knowledge, experience and dedication to the party cannot be entrusted to lead the PNCR to victory at the polls next year, then the PNCR will have confirmed what their critics have always accused them of.
Yours faithfully,
Harry Gill
New York
