Guyana Observer News

Guyana Observer News Editorial

The leader of the opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin has recently acknowledged that he has no animosity towards Mr. Van West Charles: former Minister of Health and son- in- law of the late, President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham; should he want to contest for leadership of the party.

Many people have been lamenting that Mr. Corbin is not laudable and militant to be a leader, and should resign from his position. Such decisions can only be taken at the congress or if Mr. Corbin decides to do us all a favour and step down. At the last biennial congress, many were given the opportunity of choosing another leader, but most that desperately needed the change, did not turn up at the congress or even try to be registered. The power to choose a leader only lies in the congress, nowhere else. Mr Charles may have been with the party in its early days but not recently. According to a press release by Mr. Corbin on January 10th, Mr. Van West Charles was reporting that he wants to ensure that there is transparency and democracy in the party. Van has disbanded all the incongruent behaviour of team Alexander but in actuality he is forming team Van West. We want a leader who is resolute and competent to challenge this dictatorship government, not only at elections but all the time. We know definitely that the PNC/R is not in power, but they are many things they can do to help their constituents. Why is it Mr. Charles needs non party members to observe elections at congress, is he saying that the present process of electing a party leader in undemocratic, or has the potential of being rigged. Most Guyanese know nothing of Mr. Charles attachment in local politics. While some of us may claim that we know him, we lost touch with him when he took up the overseas appointment with PAHO. We were extant, with no knowledge of his loyalty to the party and fighting for the cause of our people but now he wants to return to lead the PNCR; how more comical can he get.

The news has reported, “The former Health Minister accuses the PNCR leadership of running the party based on press releases, rather than engaging in dialogue to address problems facing party constituents. He believes that if dialogue fails, the next step should be mass-based agitation, and he wonders why the Corbin-led PNCR is not exercising that option.” This is not the time for round the table discussion, it is the time for action and serious ones. We are in need of a leader who understands and speak the language of the present administration, and surely that language is not round the table discussions. We need to be more forceful and revolutionary, if we want to win in the next election. We need a leader who has that ability of being confrontational when it is time and peaceful when it is time. All possible channel of getting the government to listen to the cries of the people should be exploited. Since 1992 there has been round the table discussions and it has not done much for us. Mr. Charles needs to be updated as to what is really going on in this country and is not at liberty to say anything at this present moment.

They are many youth, who have the talent and charisma, of a great leader but are not given the opportunity to shine there light. Mr. Corbin has been around for a long time and has outlived his time in politics. We could have heard him in the last budget debate, “I have been in the parliament for 30 years”. The question is what have u accomplished in those 30 years. The government of the day has gotten the party where it wants it; the party has been divided and a kingdom that fight against itself shall never stand. The PNC/R needs to forget about old time socialist politics and confront the government strongly on issues affecting our people.