A youthful leader for the PNC
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY ABOUT
Since Mrs Janet Jagan resigned as the country's president earlier this month and handed over the reins of leadership to the youthful Bharrat Jagdeo, views have been expressed in Stabroek News' Letters to the Editor columns and elsewhere that PNC leader Desmond Hoyte should resign and hand over the leadership of the PNC to a younger person. Following are the views of the man/woman-in-the-street on the subject: Mark Simpson - mason: 'At least I think that Mr Hoyte should remain at the helm of his party for another general election because of his experience in politics and in government. I do not think that Mrs Jagan demitted office because she wanted to but because of circumstances, that is to say, because of her ill-health and because the party knew that with constitutional reform she would no longer be eligible for the presidency come next elections. However, I do think that Mr Hoyte should identify a younger person, not necessarily a very young person of President Jagdeo's age, to take over from him in the event that something happens to him. The party has many brilliant young leaders including women like attorney-at-law Deborah Backer. There are experienced and brilliant persons like Mr Haslyn Parris. Mr Oscar Clarke is also a good person. In terms of young persons the only one I can come up with is the party's former general secretary Aubrey Norton.' Nandalall Ramoutar: 'Mr Hoyte should have already resigned and given up the office to a younger person. He should adopt the position like Mrs Jagan and do what she did. A long time now everybody saying that Mr Hoyte and Mrs Jagan should resign and give way to young blood. Age is not in their favour. Now I cannot even say who should take over from Mr Hoyte because I do not know who his officers are. It is time he named somebody. Two young persons of the country's two major political parties could bring this country back on even keel. Coming from the same generation they may see eye to eye and together may be able to solve this country's many problems. They may know what is good for this country.' Orsino Hetsberger - printer: 'I feel Hoyte should remain there as head of the party and fight for the PNC to regain office at the next general elections. In the meantime, he should identify someone to succeed him but just not to hand over at this time because Mrs Jagan handed over the mantle of leadership to a younger person. Mr Hoyte should groom that person to take over and that persons should accompany him on his meet-the-people tours. That person must be accepted as the leader-in-waiting.' Moreno Isaacs - student: 'As a young person I am not familiar with the names of the younger leaders of the PNC. However, I am quite aware that in life it is the young people who will have to take over the mantle of leadership to move this country forward. When election time comes around and candidates of the PNC are put forward, how am I to know who to back if I do not know who the young leaders are. Young people today are looking to identify with young leaders who they can emulate. Mr Hoyte should rethink his position and identify a younger person to take over from him.' Neville Mortley - private sector employee: 'It is a good thing to hand over to a younger person. Guyana needs young blood and its youths should be given the chance to develop their talents and leadership abilities. Still I do not think that if Mr Hoyte should resign and hand over the leadership to someone younger he should direct the show from the background. We do not want young leaders who will be tied to the old ideas of those from whom they have taken over. They must use their intelligence and their energies in assessing situations and in decision-making. In the party I think that Mr Haslyn Parris, who is calm and collected and still has the energy, has the experience to do the job and do it well.' James Henry - pensioner: 'I think the PNC should start looking for someone new to take over the leadership of the party. If a suitable candidate is found then Mr Hoyte could hand over the leadership. I think he is nearing his time to pack up and at times he does not sound too rational. Mr Hoyte's leadership will, however, still be needed in the party. He must identify that someone in the party and this must be made known to the nation. That person need not be a young person because it is no use identifying a university graduate with a degree because he or she is brilliant but does have the skill or practical experience in the political arena to do the job. The PNC represents a significant section of the country's population and is a force to be reckoned with so that it needs good leadership. Jagdeo is young all right but he grew up in the party and has had some practical experience in politics and in government. He may be able to learn the job quickly.' Sunita Sukhdeo - teacher: 'I think Mr Hoyte should give up his post, not necessarily to a youth but a younger person with the ability and experience to do the job. If he does that, I think that both the PPP/Civic and the PNC stand a good chance of ironing out differences among themselves. In general I think that it would do the country good to have young leaders who are in touch with the vast majority of the country's younger population.' Anne Henry - chef: 'It is time that the PNC introduced its young leaders. Mr Hoyte is getting older and the possibility is that anything can happen and the party will be left without someone whom the public may know will be taking over his office. The problem is I do not know who the young leaders in the party are. I know of Norton and I think he is a good man but there are other young persons like Deborah Backer, Raphael Trotman and Vincent Alexander. They are all young and highly qualified. Mr Hoyte could identify one of them to take over from him then step down.' Rakesh Seetaram - businessman: 'As long as the person can do the job, old or young, they should be allowed to do it. A person, even someone in leadership position, should not be discriminated against because of his or her age. Mr Hoyte has the experience to do the job and need not step down to give someone else the chance. Nevertheless, because of so many reasons, he should have a deputy leader who is ready to fill in the void should anything happen to him.' Patrick Peters - private sector employee: 'We need people with experience who can do the job well. Youth may be all right but youth without experience may also be detrimental. If a young person such as Jagdeo is not allowed to make decisions based on his knowledge, intellect and experience and has to rely on the experience of the former president then the appointment of a young person could prove to be meaningless. Yet I feel Mr Hoyte should appoint a deputy leader to replace him should anything happen to him. That person should be made known to everyone in the party and out of the party. His successor should not necessarily be a young person but must be politically matured at least. Winston Murray is not old or young but has the experience to take up the deputy leadership. Apart from Murray there may be young persons. Aubrey Norton comes to mind but I don't think he is the best candidate. Whoever is identified must command the respect of the young and old.'
|