‘The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually slaves of some defunct economist’ (John Maynard Keynes).
It is not important how and why it originated, but for decades on one issue there has been near unanimity: Indians do not want to be ruled by Africans and vice versa! Therefore, the question for us is, who rules? If you have a practical answer to this question then you will put an end to all the abnormal constitutional and other political manoeuvres!
The political disturbances that occurred in the aftermath of the 1997 elections were put to rest by the Herdmanston Accord and the St. Lucia Statement brokered by the Caribbean Community and signed by President Janet Jagan and Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Mr. Desmond Hoyte, in 1998. The Herdmanston Accord called for the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Commission with a wide mandate and a broad-based membership drawn from representatives of political parties, the labour movement, religious organizations, the private sector, youth and other social partners. ‘Among the matters to be addressed by the Constitutional Reform Commission will be measures and arrangements for the improvement of race relations in Guyana, including the contribution which equal opportunities legislation and concepts drawn from the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society can contribute to the cause of justice, equity, and progress in Guyana.’
