Who should succeed Hoyte?

WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
By Miranda La Rose
Stabroek News
January 31, 2000


The issue of who will succeed PNC Leader Desmond Hoyte is currently a subject of debate. This week we ask the man/woman-in-the-street who they think is the best possible candidate. The following are their choices and reasons for their choices:

Natasha David - private sector employee: `My choice to replace Mr Hoyte would be Raphael Trotman because he is young and represents a mixture of the races which make up the Guyanese people. In addition, he has a clean record with no political baggage. Though he is young, he is a bright, successful attorney and he has the ability to engage the attention of his opponents. I think that as a young person he would be able to meet a young leader from the PPP on an even footing and have dialogue in a constructive way to benefit the nation. Other leaders whom I think should be considered but who are not as young are former education minister Deryck Bernard, who also has a clean record and is basically a God-fearing person. Economist Haslyn Parris, is undoubtedly a brilliant man and should be considered.'

Gregory Garnett - University of Guyana student: `Any successor to Desmond Hoyte should be Aubrey Norton because he is young and active. He has the potential to take the party to another level. He is a good organiser and can inspire more young people to support and take part in PNC activities.'

Patrick Thierens - overseas-based Guyanese: `Apart from Mr Hoyte, I am not familiar with the leadership of the PNC. So it would be unfair to nominate someone. I am familiar with Aubrey Norton's name because he is constantly in the news on account of the controversy between himself and Mr Hoyte. What I do know for sure is that the PNC needs to identify a successor to Mr Hoyte as soon as possible. At present because there is no one else the party seems to be like a ship adrift with only a captain trying to manage it without a crew. In the past I would have known who to nominate. Now I do not even know whether those persons who were with the party some five to ten years ago are still there. Mr Hoyte has to do what Mrs [Janet] Jagan did. He has reached the age of retirement.'

Thomas 'Shaft' Benjamin - accountant: `I would nominate Raphael Trotman for the post. He appears to me to be a serious-minded Guyanese who is interested in the welfare of citizens, development of the country and in good governance in general. I have listened to him from various platforms and he impresses me as someone who is action-oriented rather than only politicking.'

Rudolph Moonsammy - private sector employee: `I don't know the leadership of the PNC except for Mr Hoyte. So I am not in a position to say who should succeed him. I know of Aubrey Norton because he was the party's former general secretary and because Mr Hoyte referred to him as his 'creature'. I do not know if Mr Norton would be a better leader than Mr Hoyte. However, I feel that Mr Robert Corbin should not be identified as the PNC leader. In any case because the PNC is an important party in this country the party needs to identify someone to take over from Mr Hoyte because he has reached the time to retire from active politics.'

Francis Reid - artist: `The person to succeed Hoyte should be a person of high moral values with a divine love for the nation. He must be a God-fearing person walking with the spirit of God and who will see the needs of the people and respond to the needs in like manner. I would prefer also if this person comes through the ranks, from the grassroots so that he can identify with the people down there. I don't know the leaders of the PNC but if there is such a person with the qualities I have identified, I would like that person to succeed Mr Hoyte.'

Mary Henry - housewife: `The party needs someone young but with some amount of experience and the ability to learn and learn quick. I cannot pinpoint that person. As far as I know right now Mr Hoyte needs to let Guyanese know who is his possible successor. We need to know who are members of the party's central executive. At one time you hear one name then suddenly you hear another. One day we hear of Dr Kenneth King, another Aubrey Norton, now we are hearing of Oscar Clarke. I do not know if any of these can succeed Mr Hoyte.'

Dexter Thompson - technician: `Raphael Trotman, that young lawyer is my choice. He is young and has the charisma to go with the post. If there is need for an older person I would go for Winston Murray who has the experience. Murray would appeal to all the races because he is a mixed Guyanese. Trotman has youth on his side. He can influence the young as generally they are not racial-minded. Trotman and Murray representing youth and experience would be my winning combination for the PNC.'

Clairmonte Frank-David - private sector employee: `Norton I think would be the best candidate if we are looking for a young person, because he was there from the inception. He basically grew up in the party and has now accumulated a wealth of experience. On the other hand if we are looking for experience and leadership I would say Haslyn Parris.'

Nicola Harding - University of Guyana student: `Other than Mr Hoyte I don't know much about the PNC and its executive. The PNC has contested two elections and some of the people who took on leadership roles then have since changed. I really don't know who is who at this point in time. However, it is bad that Mr Hoyte who portrays himself as the only person with the ability to lead the party, cannot identify a leader and people like myself cannot identify someone readily to succeed him.'