By GHK Lall- There is a new phenomenon gaining more traction in Guyana. I ask pardon if it is older than I think, and it just went over my head, due to inattention, or not knowing the political backstories that led to what is dealt with now. Political floor crossing is gaining strength in Guyana. It is mainly in one direction: from the PNC side (or AFC) to that of the PPP. The PNC and AFC have few to any incentives to lure PPP disgruntled. Neither jobs nor contracts nor a barrel of cash. It is simply the reality of the times, the kind of cards that are held, who holds them.
My first question is: was the floor crossing from the opposition side to the PPP due to a spiritual or philosophical epiphany? I could live with either of the two. If the defectors are of a mind that the opposition has lost its marbles, but the PPP has its head screwed on correctly, is for all Guyanese. I am all for the move, give my meaningless nod. But what if it is for ulterior motives, those of the floor crosser in search of a rescue operation that only the PPP Government can manage? Hold the thought about law enforcement for a moment, please.
What if the waltzing across the political floor, is part of a grand bargain: a quid pro quo, and one that is discretely and quietly aimed at a certain demographic in Guyana? For there to be a meeting of political minds in high elevations purring, the surrounding circumstances must be conducive. That is, each side has something that the other wants, what only the other side can give.
For example, and in the most politically delicate terms, the PPP may be on the lookout for a certain color lining; while the potential floor crosser is looking for some type of relief. It is usually more than run-of-the-mill poverty or a dearth of some sought after opportunity. I urge my fellow Guyanese to think of some sword of Damocles hanging over floor crossers heads. The, there is the lurking threat of a grim judiciary with just the proper vigorous inclination, right unforgiving mentality.
The record of recent floor crossing developments points in the direction of law and courts, and who knows where these matters end. There are those on the PPP side who can make things happen, as in go away; or at least be held in suspension to ensure good behavior, and that bargains made are kept. In other words, whoever on the opposition side has a case, they had better make haste before the window of opportunity is slammed on their fingers. For those who have dabbled with the sacred precincts of the law, a creole expression best suits their circumstances: cow nah kay weh he mess when in slaatah house.
Or, in the King’s construction: it is any port for a storm, even a detested PPP port has its pluses. Some of the opposition floor crossers, not all of them, played their fancy games and slipped in some wrongdoing into their portfolio of activities. They are the best candidates for the PPP, and the higher their personal profile, the more politically rewarding the catch.
The floor crossers have no choice, since they are being given a new lease on life and, in effect, a stay out of the big house card. Give me liberty or give me the penitentiary. For those who are ready to be an exhibit of the newly friendly, it is considered a decent deal. For reference, try NYC Mayor Eric Adams, a man I liked, backed. The Democrat cozies up to the new Republican Chief Executive and, voilà, charges disappear. A neat, sweet, treat.
All of this may be all well and good for the clandestine bargainers, i.e., PPP Government arrangers and fixers on the one side, and opposition supplicants on the other. My problem begins with the preemption of law and the judiciary. It continues with the non-segregation of the executive from the judiciary. It ends with the subversion of the Guyana judiciary even before a white-collar criminal matter is compiled for the bar of justice. In some respects, the fact is that when senior agents of the PPP Government engage in warmly receiving opposition floor crossers, in effect, what they are doing is finalizing their own out-of-court settlements.
For emphasis: the new workload of the judiciary that was to be is reduced due to crass political expediency. The next concern, no less of a big problem, is that the PPP Government could coddle lawbreakers, and all for having a certain kind of cosmetics in its midst. Being an Old Spice man myself, there is quite a bit of understanding on how these issues are orchestrated.
It is always through the right kind of leadership initiative to ensure the right kind of face at Freedom House. It’s good for optics, good for propaganda purposes, good for the PPP. Across the suddenly lonelier floor on the opposition side, it is desultory. Moreover, it is unhealthy for the law taking its own course on its own propulsion, and at its own speed. It could do without the intervention of the PPP. From the perspective of law-abiding Guyanese of conscience, PPP interference thwarts justice, when errant floor crossers are aided.
