Guyana set out on the road to civil violence over seventy years ago after the introduction of universal adult franchise and general elections in April 1953. The ‘original’ People’s Progressive Party (PPP) gained 51 per cent of the 74.77 per cent of valid votes − not quite a ‘landslide’. However, under the unbalanced ‘First-Past-the-Post’ system, it got 75 per cent of the seats in the Legislative Council and nominated six ministers to the Executive Council.
Former President David Granger explained on his weekly programme – The Public Interest − that the democratic initiative ran off the rails after the PPP-supported Guiana Industrial Workers’ Union − the forerunner of the present-day GAWU − called a strike on 30th August 1953. The PPP-dominated Legislative Council passed a Labour Relations Bill, the Governor proclaimed a ‘State of Emergency’, suspended the Constitution, expelled the elected PPP ministers and deployed the British Army.
Mr. Granger expressed the view that the PPP’s zeal to control the country through its domination of LEGCO and its leverage of GIWU were contributory causes of the 1953 Constitutional crisis. The PPP retaliated by launching a massive ‘passive resistance’ campaign including blowing up Queen Victoria’s statue and several other acts of sabotage.
A new Constitution restored democratic elections under the unbalanced ‘FPP’ electoral system in August 1957. The PPP won 46.7 per cent of the vote and 65 per cent of seats and the People’s National Congress won 39.4 per cent of the vote and 28 per cent of the seats, in the LEGCO.
Another new Constitution introduced internal self-government followed by general elections in August 1961 under the same unbalanced ‘FPP’ system. The PPP won 42.6 per cent of the vote but gained 57 per cent of seats; PNC won 41.0 per cent of the vote and 31 per cent of the seats and the United Force won 16.3 per cent of the vote won 12 per cent of the seats. The combined opposition with 57.3 per cent of the vote won only 43 per cent of the seats and the PPP, with 42.6 per cent of the vote, won 57 per cent of the seats. PPP supporters’ arrogant and abusive behaviour during a triumphalist victory motorcade from Crabwood Creek in Region No. 6 to Georgetown in Region No. 4, however, stirred dread and disquiet.
The former president related that the PPP administration, bent on control rather than consensus, introduced a budget proposing oppressive measures − capital gains tax, property tax, gift tax and compulsory savings six months later in February 1962. The PPP misjudged the mood of public sector workers and trade unions by aiming their taxation targets at the towns and workers to finance rural projects and private farmers.
The British Guiana Trades Union Congress called a general strike to protest the high taxation measures and low public sector salaries and confronted the Government with huge demonstrations. The Government declared a ‘State of Emergency’ and requested the deployment of the British Army when disorder erupted in Georgetown and sections of the central business district were looted and burnt down. The BGTUC called another general strike to protest the PPP’s introduction of another Labour Relations Bill in 1963 which, as in 1953, was seen as an attempt to extend its control of the LEGCO to control the trade union movement by strengthening the pro-PPP GAWU. The Bill was withdrawn after the ‘80 days’ general strike.
Granger recalled that a constitutional conference was convened in the UK in October 1963 to resolve the issues of the unbalanced electoral system and impending Independence. The PNC and UF advocated replacing the ‘FPP’ system with the ‘PR’ (Proportional Representation) system. The PPP opposed the change which it was convinced would destroy its commanding majority in LEGCO. The PPP, PNC and UF leaders could not agree among themselves but consented for the controversy to be resolved by the British Government which then imposed the ‘PR’ electoral system, retained the voting age at 21 years and directed that new elections be held before Independence.
The PPP rejected the UK’s ‘solution’ and kindled what its General Secretary called a ‘Hurricane of Protest’, called the ‘Disturbances’ aimed at violently making the colony ungovernable. The PPP staged a ‘Freedom March’ – from Charity in Region No. 2 and Crabwood Creek in Region No. 6 – that converged in Georgetown in Region No. 4 on 9th February). It was clear that the PPP’s objective was to obstruct general elections under the ‘PR’ system in December 1964, to remain in office up to 1965 and obtain Independence without new elections.
The former president expressed the opinion that the PPP ignited violence in the ‘Disturbances’ which degenerated into cold-blooded and methodical murder. Arsonists destroyed hundreds of hectares of sugarcane. GAWU agents attacked workers who supported the MPCA (Man Power Citizens Association) − the union recognised by the BGSPA (British Guiana Sugar Producers’ Association). The ‘Disturbances’ were driven by the deployment of a regiment of terrorists armed with weapons and financed by communist countries. The PPP demonstrated that, from 1954 to 1964, it was prepared to sacrifice human safety and public security in order to seize control of the entire country by any means necessary. 󠆳
