PM Candidate selection influenced by public opinion – Rohee

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Clement Rohee said the impression that the public was ready for a ‘new face’ in the upcoming General and Regional Election has influenced the party’s decision to replace long-standing Prime Ministerial Candidate Samuel Hinds.

Questioned at the party’s weekly press conference on Monday on the criteria used to select Elisabeth Harper, Rohee related that it was a consensus decision based on the expectations of the general public.

He even pointed out that the media may have also played a role in the selection of a new Prime Ministerial Candidate to represent the party.

“The leadership of the party met and at many of these press conferences, it was constantly being asked who was going to be our Prime Ministerial Candidate.

He added that this decision was communicated to Hinds, who “took it in good stead”.

Questioned further on whether this meant that the party will then be embarking on selecting fresh faces to fill its Cabinet if the PPP/C wins the elections, the GS said that it is a possibility noting that Guyanese should not be surprised by the unexpected.

“The PPP/C has the ability to attract many people…it has never been bankrupt of a list of candidates for the elections. For those who may wonder what it is likely to be, they should not be surprised at the unexpected,” he expressed.

Hinds on Sunday at the memorial service for former President the late Dr Cheddi Jagan and his wife, Janet Jagan, told the party’s supporters at Babu Jaan that while he was pleased that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he was able to accomplish a lot, but regretted not being able to achieve all that was set out.

“I am particularly pleased on my last occasion as Prime Minister to feel that I have achieved quite a bit and I feel confidently pleased working in establishing a link joining villages into the interior…

“I regret I couldn’t come to you with Amaila already in construction; that’s something I regret.

 “I regret I couldn’t come to you with the new telecoms law that ends the monopoly, but these are things I am sure once you return us to office on May 11, we will quickly get them up and continue the development of the country.”

He promised to continue to support the party as it continues to follow a path left by its late founder Dr Jagan.

During the announcement of Harper’s selection, Rohee had said that “Mrs Elisabeth Ann Harper brings to the table, that sparkle; that burst of freshness that will energise and inspire membership, supporters and well wishers to work hard for the party’s victory at the polls.”

Harper, 57, who hails from Kitty, Greater Georgetown, has worked in the Foreign Service for decades.

Harper succeeds the outgoing Hinds who has held that position since 1992 when the PPP/C was voted into office for the first time in 28 years.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in French from the University of Guyana as well as the title of the Best Graduating Student (1981-1986) as well as a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford, England.