By Mark DaCosta- The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has entered into a new electoral partnership with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) as part of its strategy for the upcoming general and regional elections. However, despite this new agreement, the WPA has expressed hesitation about rejoining the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), citing past experiences that left the party feeling marginalised.
At a press conference earlier today, February 10, Dr David Hinds, the WPA’s co-leader, confirmed that discussions with the PNCR had led to an agreement on forming a coalition for the upcoming elections. He explained that both parties have agreed to work together, although a few practical issues need to be agreed upon. “We have signed off on the coalition. WPA will be going into a coalition with the PNC, and the PNC has said the same. But it is a matter of working out the logistics of how WPA being outside of the APNU, how that will play itself out in a practical way,” said Dr Hinds.
The two parties held talks last Wednesday, and it was agreed that a joint working committee would be established to address several logistical concerns. This committee is expected to make its recommendations at a later date, when the parties will meet again.
Despite the WPA’s commitment to the coalition with the PNCR, there remains some unease within the party due to past experiences within the APNU coalition, which involved a number of smaller opposition groups. Dr Hinds has repeatedly explained that while the WPA believes in the importance of coalitions, it is crucial that smaller parties are treated fairly and given a meaningful role in the decision-making process.
The WPA’s current position has been shaped by its previous experience with the APNU coalition, particularly under the leadership of former President David Granger. Dr Hinds noted that the decision-making process under Granger’s leadership often excluded other smaller parties within the coalition, a situation that the WPA hopes to avoid in the future.
“The decision-making mechanism or approach that was used by comrade Granger had the effects of marginalising all the political parties in the coalition, including his own party, the PNC,” Dr Hinds pointed out.
The WPA’s new coalition with the PNCR is seen as a necessary move to challenge the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which the WPA accuses of steering the country toward authoritarian rule. Dr Hinds emphasised that the WPA, as a smaller party, recognises its limitations and understands that a united opposition front is crucial to defeating the PPP.
“We do so with the full knowledge that our party lacks the electoral appeal to win an election on its own. Should we go into an election on our own, we risk splitting the opposition vote and ensuring a return of the PPP to power,” Dr Hinds said.
Dr Hinds further explained that, in the absence of post-election coalition laws in Guyana’s constitution, the WPA’s decision to form an alliance ahead of the elections was necessary. By joining forces with the PNCR, the WPA aims to consolidate its support and enhance its chances of success at the polls.
Even though the WPA is a smaller party with limited electoral support, it continues to assert that its role in the coalition will be vital. Dr Hinds has repeatedly made it clear that the WPA’s commitment to the alliance is not only based on electoral strategy, but also on the belief that its political integrity and commitment to good governance will bring real benefits to the coalition’s prospects.
The WPA’s previous experience within APNU, which ended in the party’s departure, is a key consideration as it now joins forces with the PNCR. The WPA left APNU in the past due to the feeling that their contributions were being sidelined and that there was a lack of transparency in the coalition’s decision-making processes. This experience left the WPA wary of future partnerships and especially cautious about rejoining the APNU.
As the elections draw nearer, the WPA’s new coalition with the PNCR presents a significant shift in the political landscape, and it remains to be seen how this partnership will evolve in the coming months. The WPA’s continued focus on coalition politics, combined with its demand for inclusion and transparency, will likely be a central theme as the election campaign unfolds.
