As the electoral race heats up, two major PNCR Members, Daniel Seeram and Geeta Chandan-Edmond, have crossed the floor and pledged their allegiance to the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP). While crossovers are not unusual during this season, economist and longstanding politician, Carl Greenidge said it is not a matter the PNCR should brush aside.
Readers would recall that Seeram is a PNCR-appointed Chairman for Region Four while Chandan-Edmond is an APNU+AFC Parliamentarian. Neither relinquished their posts before or after their endorsement of the PPP.
In an invited comment, Greenidge said crossing the floor took place extensively in the 1960s and 1970s in Guyana. Prior to 1980, he recalled that the then deputy leader of the PPP, Ranji Chandisingh, along with the self styled ideologue Vincent Teekah and other close allies of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan had crossed the floor to the PNC side.
“Back then, we had a first-past the post system that tolerated that because MPs were elected by constituency and not as part of a slate with persons who may not even have been known to voters.
“It did not have quite the same implications that go with proportional representation…,” said the economist and former Vice President.
Greenidge further noted that said that there is a tendency for persons to weigh the costs of staying with a losing party against the risk of crossing the floor to go with another party, maybe the party in government, because it can, in the short term, give them something they are seeking, either personally or institutionally.
While the phenomenon is not one that should induce heart failure on the part of the party leader and membership, Greenidge said it is a matter that should be addressed, and more importantly, it should be seen to be addressed effectively and expeditiously. Greenidge was keen to note that such losses can be stemmed by taking clear steps to raise confidence in the leadership and direction the party is pursuing, by involving members more integrally in decision-making.
As politicians, particularly those older than 35 years of age, seek to advance their careers during such challenging times, Greenidge was keen to stress that they remember what it truly means to be in politics.
He said, “Politics is not an easy or comfortable passion. It is not about sameness. It is about fighting for change and how to trigger and handle change. It is concerns how to handle failure. It concerns trying , even in the face of lack of success.
“For many of us it is about striving to give those Professor Clive Thomas referred to as, ‘the poor and powerless’ the opportunity to better invest in and to be better involved in the development and management of the country.”
Greenidge also stressed that the behaviour of politicians needs to be trustworthy. “We have to remember that the electorate and fellow-citizens are looking at us and expecting behaviour that is honourable and ethical.
“They would not happy with those who cut and run at the first hurdle or those who see politics as the business of filling politicians’ pockets, let alone doing so at the first opportunity,” said the economist adding, “Clearly, that motive drives some people who cross the floor.”
