Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 26, 2017 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom
The alliance between the AFC and APNU was not a match made in heaven. It was a hurriedly conceived arrangement, after it became obvious to both parties that the chance existed to finally boot the PPPC from office.
The AFC was not intimate with APNU. The AFC was established to offer itself as an alternative to both the PPPC and the PNCR, the main party within APNU. True, the two parties had collaborated during the abbreviated 2011 term of the PPPC, but even then, they did not hold consistent positions at all times.
The AFC, just before the historic Cummingsburg Accord, had publicly declared that it would not join in a coalition with either APNU or the PPPC. It has subordinated that principle to the lust for political office. It went back on that position because is it saw the prospects of removing the PPP, but now that it has removed the PPP, it has lost its original identity within the government and is now seen as a sidekick of APNU, with little or no independent voice within the government. This is the perception which exists out there.
The AFC needs to re-claim its political independence. It needs to do so by negotiating a post-valentine agreement. The marriage is taking place, but the compatibility within the nuptial is contrived. Happiness and satisfaction within the marriage is faked.
A new agreement as to how the parties to this hurried match- marriage should live together is needed. Otherwise, one of two things can happen. The marriage will continue being an unhappy arrangement dominated by one party or it will end in divorce. Both scenarios will lead to problems for the AFC.
A new agreement is needed because the Valentine Day Agreement was not a governance agreement. It was contrived with the aim of removing the PPPC from office. It did not fundamentally address how decision-making would take place within the government because APNU and the AFC were merely testing how a pre-election coalition would do. They did not expect to win the election and there was, in any event, insufficient time for them to address post-election arrangements. The ultimate goal of the valentine agreement was the removal of the PPPC.
The agreement provided for a division of Cabinet seats. It provided for who should chair Cabinet. It decided which party would control which ministries. These were intended to offer comfort to the supporters of the AFC and to woo supporters of the PPPC by providing assurances that APNU would not dominate a future government. It was essentially a pre-election maneuver to win votes and sell the coalition.
It has not worked as anticipated. The AFC is perceived to be impotent within the government. Its forty per cent share of the parliamentary seats has not been used to oppose controversial measures and policies of the government. The AFC has in parliament been the handmaiden of APNU in imposing hardships on the population, including VAT. It has opposed APNU in the City Council on the parking meters issue, but has been ineffective in influencing the government to have intervened earlier in this issue or force APNU to reverse its position within the Council.
The AFC has also been tainted by its involvement in the Cabinet review of the Sussex Street Bond contract. The AFC, which was strong on transparency when it was in opposition, suddenly finds itself part of a government which is becoming notorious for its lack of transparency.
A post-valentine agreement is needed to ensure there is improved governance and the AFC does not find itself tainted by the failings of the government.
The AFC is appearing helpless within the government. Its supporters are asking whether its 40% of Cabinet seats equal zero influence. The coalition was supposed to end this zero-sum game of politics. It was to lead to a new political culture of inclusiveness and transparency. This is not happening.
The AFC has not opposed controversial measures; the AFC has not come out against VAT on private tuition fees. The AFC has not said anything about all the scandals which are becoming a weekly occurrence within the government.
The AFC is losing face among its supporters. The AFC draws a significant share of its support from the business community, which is hurting from the policies and lack of vision from the government.
The AFC has to bow its head when in the presence of its constituents. It has failed them. A post-valentine agreement is needed to help to rectify these problems and restore credibility to both the government and the AFC.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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