How does one reconcile perpetuating the continuing obvious tone deafness of party elders to the detriment of the will of its members? PNCR members have resoundingly said Aubrey Norton is their choice for party leader.
The local media on December 29th reported Joseph Harmon categorically stating that the outcome of the recent PNCR election outcome does not warrant his removal as opposition leader. A clear indication, of his truculent stance, despite having been resoundingly trounced by Norton in the PNCR party leadership vote.
Why is the PPP hierarchy so vested in Harmon retaining his position? Is there some sinister Machiavellian undercurrent at play? A close examination of VP Bharat Jagdeo's Christmas Day ramblings lends itself to the view that Jagdeo was obviously engaging in character assassination in an attempt to discredit Norton, who was clearly and undeniably the party electorate's choice. This is evident from Jagdeo's claims of speaking to parliamentarians supporting Harmon who allegedly said that Norton was useless, racist and only known for violent street protests. It would appear that Jagdeo did not speak to other members of the house who were backing the other candidate Van-West Charles since no mention was made of this. Could it be that the PPP was not interested in Van West Charles as he does not pose a threat to it?
PPP’s interest in Harmon remaining as Opposition Leader you ask? It is more than passing strange that Jagdeo and President Ali’s implied utterances to the effect that Harmon’s 200K votes more qualifies him to be opposition leader than the 900 plus Norton received to be party leader, aligns with what Harmon himself has been saying.
Jagdeo prattled on about Norton serving the party for 49 years before being elected. Ironically, Jagdeo himself is in no position to speak, having not being elected by the members of the PPP, but rather being hand-picked and appointed by Janet Jagan. But I digress. It is becoming more apparent that neither former President Granger nor Joe Harmon intend to go quietly into the night. Although it is pellucid that their own people have spoken and have decided that it is time for a change.
We can all agree it is well established that a significant contributing factor to the downfall of APNU government was its failure to listen and to heed advice. Arrogance to the point of ignorance to think that one's opinion is the only one that matters is unfathomable. A now unmuzzled former minister and Foreign Secretary minister, Carl Greenidge, recently spoke of the Granger cabinet ignoring the necessity of putting in place an oil and gas master plan. One may ponder how it is possible for an intelligent leader not to see the importance and the long-term value of such a plan. Even if one is not a seasoned politician, which Granger wasn't, surely common sense should have prevailed. Given the foregoing, one cannot help but wonder, how many other instances of sound advice went unheeded?
The truculent manner in which Harmon dug in his heels, indicates that he has taken up the mantle of his former commander and has hunkered down. However, it may be prudent to take heed from the fate suffered by ex Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, who in in 2010, after being defeated at the polls, was booed and chased out of Basilier House. Is an embarrassing showdown what it will take for Granger and Harmon to release the reigns? Party elders can prevent this.
P.S. I cannot end without mentioning the debacle that yesterday ensued in parliament. Disgraceful behaviour is putting it mildly. Particularly abhorrent, is the video circulating on social media, of parliament staffer Ean McPherson lying on the floor holding on to the speaker's mace while being verbally abused with taunts of "house slave" by APNU parliamentarians. They were attempting to remove the mace in a bid to prevent the passing of the Natural Resource Fund Bill. Mr. McPherson is a professional who was doing his job.
Unfortunately neither the government nor the opposition are blameless for shameful and obnoxious behaviour in parliament. In 2017, opposition PPP member and now Public Works Minister Juan Edghill was suspended for misconduct. The police had to be called to quell the ruckus. APNU in its "wisdom" failed to see that its actions will only serve to have the government control the narrative and turn the focus on its crass behaviour, thus the real issue of the content of the bill is eclipsed by foolishness.
Naturally, yesterday's actions brought out racist ignorance. I refer specifically to a rank and racist social media post by former minister of human services and social security, Pro-Chancellor of the Univeristy of Guyana and current PPP member of GECOM Bibi Shadick. She spoke of house slaves and the shooting rabid dogs. It does not take a genius to determine that she is referring to APNU members as house slaves and rabid dogs. I expect the excoriation of her actions but I am not holding my breath.
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