With just under three months to go before Guyana’s General and Regional Elections, social activist and media personality Mark Benschop has issued a stinging critique of the main opposition party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), warning that unless its leadership urgently changes course, the party risks political irrelevance. The Elections are slated for September 1st.
Speaking with Village Voice News in an exclusive conversation, Benschop, owner of 107.1 FM and host of the hard-hitting nightly show “Straight Up with Mark Benschop,” said the PNCR must stop “sleepwalking” into the elections.
“The PNCR needs to get its act together and become serious,” Benschop declared bluntly. “Their support base wants to see a party that is in election mode – a party that is united, energized, and ready to lead. Instead, what we’re seeing is a worrying drift, a leadership that seems disconnected from political reality.”
A Party at Risk of Collapse?
Benschop’s comments come amid growing frustration within opposition circles over what many describe as a lack of urgency and a fractured leadership. In recent weeks, several members have either walked away or distanced themselves from the party.
“No party worth its salt allows people to just walk away – especially not in an election season,” Benschop said.
“Whether those people are of political value or not, leadership must move quickly to stop the hemorrhaging. The current ‘don’t care’ attitude is hurting more than it’s helping.”
Time for Reconciliation
The outspoken talk-show host emphasised that now is the time for reconciliation, not retribution.
“All hands are needed right now – even those who may have been insulted or sidelined. Amendments must be made. There are too many people walking around feeling discarded, like they have no value. That kind of approach is political suicide.”
He criticised what he sees as a vindictive streak within elements of the PNCR’s leadership, calling on them to rethink their strategy and stop alienating potential allies.
“Politics is about winning friends, not enemies. It’s about maintaining your base and attracting new voters. That means messaging, attitude, and behaviour must be carefully packaged to energise the electorate, not turn them off.”
Silence the ‘Attack Dogs’
Benschop did not mince words when addressing the factionalism and infighting within the PNCR.
“The collective leadership must act in the interest of the bigger picture – winning the elections. They need to reach out to their so-called attack dogs and silence them. The party is bigger than any one leader, and the PNC brand must be protected.”
He warned that the electorate is looking for a credible alternative to what he called “a corrupt set of people seeking to regain or enter office,” and if the PNCR fails to present itself as that alternative, it will have only itself to blame.
“You don’t need a political scientist to understand that. People want hope. They want leadership. If the opposition can’t offer that, then they’re handing the country back to those they claim to be fighting against.”
Final Word
In his final comment, Benschop reminded opposition leaders that time is running out – fast.
“We are less than three months away. The clock is ticking. The PNCR must wake up, rally its people, and give Guyanese a reason to believe again. Or else, they might find themselves in the political wilderness for a long time to come.”
