‘I’m coming around to supporting Donald Ramotar’ – former PNCR MP

BY JANELLE PERSAUD

A defector from the People’s National Congress Reform party says he is “coming around to backing” PPP presidential candidate Donald Ramotar in this year’s general elections.

Joseph Hamilton, a former high-ranking member of the PNCR and a former Member of Parliament, told Guyana Times International in an interview on June 21 that, unless the PNCR embraces radical reforms, he would never return to its fold. Hamilton is among a large group of high-ranking PNCR members who had withdrawn from the party back in 2008 following an unsuccessful bid to unseat current leader Robert Corbin, and the party leader subsequent recalled the seat of James McAllister as an MP.

The fallout came when former PNCR Vice Chairman Vincent Alexander had challenged Corbin for the leadership position. Alexander had told a news conference that he and those other members could no longer serve the PNCR. He had then announced his resignation from the Local Government Reform Task Force, where he had been representing the PNCR as co-chairman. He had said then that he had not renewed his party membership. His backers had also said that they had allowed their memberships to lapse. Among them were Julianne Gaul, Andrew Hicks, Sherwood Lowe, Joseph Hamilton, Dr Dalgleish Joseph, Ivor Allen, Hamley Case Chiyedza James and Peter Livingstone. These former members had said that their decision to withdraw from the party was not intended to undermine the party, but was a reaction to its continued “display of vindictiveness”.

Meanwhile, Hamilton told Guyana Times International that: “Of all the candidates, Mr Donald Ramotar is my friend; so as it relates to the political campaign, I’m coming around to supporting my friend.” 

Egos larger than Georgetown

The former parliamentarian said he will not go back into PNCR party politics, but nationally “the jury is still out”.

Asked whether the “broad-based alliance” as put forward by the Alliance For Change (AFC) could be an option, Hamilton said he is acquainted with the actors in that party and he is not convinced that many are interested in much more than being “president”. He described their egos as being “larger than Georgetown”.

Another defector, Dr Dalgleish Joseph, said his heart is still with the PNCR, but he would return to the party only under changed circumstances. “I have always said (that) if I can make a contribution (to that party) and the opportunity is there for me to make an unhindered contribution, I would be willing to do that,” he commented. But with that party’s constitution remaining unchanged as regards the functions of the leader and presidential candidate residing in one person, Dr Joseph and his colleagues’ decision remains unchanged.

“Unfortunately, the PNCR had a congress just the other day, and that was a glorious opportunity for them to make serious constitutional reform, so that the presidential candidate will have clout within the constitution of the party. That was not done,” the general surgeon lamented.

“For me to get actively involved, there must be clear indications that efforts will be made for us to play meaningful roles in the party’s activities, the party’s direction, and the party’s efforts to sum out its constituency, to mobilise its constituency, and to ensure that its constituency is with it every process of the way as we prepare for the next elections.”

Dr Joseph believes that a good tactic to galvanise increased support is for members to go house-to-house and meet the citizenry. Asked about a possible partnership with the AFC, Dr Joseph, the current director of the University of Guyana’s Medical School, said: “The AFC will not win an election in Guyana, and I will not flog a losing horse.”

The former shadow minister of health said he and his colleagues wanted new leadership, new governance, and new direction, which in their opinion current leader Robert Corbin cannot give. Dr Joseph entered Parliament in 1998 as a PNCR Parliamentarian under the leadership of the late Desmond Hoyte. He told Guyana Times International that he has reverted to doing what he does best – medical practice and medical education.

In the meantime, PNCR presidential candidate David Granger is quite optimistic that he has the support of many of the defectors. “I have had private meetings with some of them … I am confident of their support … their hearts are still with the party; some have shown tangible support for the campaign despite personal issues,” Granger told Guyana Times International in an invited comment. Because of confidentiality, the retired brigadier did not name those he had engaged, but he confirmed that they did not include the two persons Guyana Times International had spoken with.

Granger also refuted claims that there is factionalism in the PNCR. He noted that his earlier contenders – James Bond, Basil Williams and Carl Greenidge – are all actively involved in campaign work at the party headquarters. The lone female contender, Dr Faith Harding, is out of the country. With respect to constitutional reform within the PNCR, Granger disclosed that “after the national elections, an internal commission will be set up to deal with constitutional reform”. He added that that recommendation will be forwarded to the General Council and Central Committee.