People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive Member, Aubrey Norton is of the opinion that the fallout between members of The New Movement (TMN) party is as result of a plot by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to have total political domination. He made this comment during a press conference today.
“It has always been the strategy of the People’s Progressive Party to create small parties to take what votes they think they cannot get. A lot of times, these small parties are financed by PPP financiers. Let us not forget that years ago when the PPP wanted to control the UF (United Force) after Peter D’Aguiar’s departure, they sent PPP members to vote and a particular person became the Leader of the UF, and the UF was later collapsed into the PPP,” he said.
Norton, who studied Political Science and International Relations in Guyana and the United Kingdom, said that he foresaw the “clash” between those in the party, who were for principle, fairness and justice, and those who were being used as “political toys” by the PPP/C to obtain its objectives.
Within the last couple of days, several TNM members left the party citing a change in direction not in line with the objectives of the party upon its formulation. Those were Dr Andrew Hutson, Dr. Gerald Forde, Brijraj Ramsaroop, Latchman Dindiyal and Dr. Josh Kanhai.
Dr. Kanhai claimed in a missive yesterday announcing his resignation, that there were “unconstitutional attempts by persons to act selfishly, go rogue, and use dictatorial force” to influence his political will. The TNM contested the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.
He said that the TNM was predicated on pure and moral ideas for the benefit of Guyanese. However, this quickly disappeared post-election, and it became a camp impregnated with “turmoil and coup-ism”. He described a working environment that was “toxic, poisonous, and dictatorial”. This, he said, was nurtured by the party’s sole financier and his “advocate”.
According to sources, the financier and his “advocate”, who is a TNM member, took control of the party, thereby shutting out recommendations from other members.
Norton also said that the fallout should come as no surprise “because the time had to come when those [in the party] who believe in principle will turn up against those who are being part of a political scheme”.
Nevertheless, the Political Scientist said that young people have a part to play in Guyana’s development, and that they should not lose hope. In fact, he is advocating for mechanisms to be put in place to “attract” those upcoming politicians to join other parties.
“It is sad that these small parties are falling apart, but on the other hand, it opens new vistas for collaboration at a much higher level – and I mean here, moral and governance high level between existing political parties and those persons who find themselves in a position where the ideals they set themselves are not being realised because the People’s Progressive Party is a party believes in political domination and control,” Norton stated.
