Sub-headline: Former APNU member says only serious competition comes from Norton-led APNU
With General and Regional Elections set for September 1, several new political parties have joined the race. But political commentator and former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member James Bond believes these emerging groups pose no real threat to the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Appearing on the Starting Point programme, Bond said that among all the parties, only APNU—now contesting independently—is positioned to challenge the PPP at the national level. He dismissed the viability of parties such as the Alliance For Change (AFC), A New and United Guyana (ANUG), We Invest In Nationhood (WIIN), and the Forward Guyana Movement.
“You point me to a political party that could match the talent, wealth of experience, the competency of the People’s Progressive Party Civic in the Caribbean. I’ve said it many of times that we have the best President right now, the best Prime Minister, best politician in the Caribbean in Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. The party that gets the most attention for the People’s Progressive Party Civic is the APNU…as close as it comes to being a political rival is the PNC, none other,” Bond stated.
He argued that the PPP’s track record in governance, particularly in the delivery of social services, sets it apart.
“What does it take to run a country? It’s not a popularity contest, it’s not handouts. Government has already invested a substantial amount of money in terms of social services—pensions, education, health. Education is now free, health services are free, a number of things that government does for free. Running a country, I think you have to have certain set skills, a certain amount of political intelligence,” he said.
Bond also highlighted President Dr Irfaan Ali’s efforts on the global stage, including his push for reparations and climate change action, as examples of effective leadership.
While acknowledging that Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has made “a number of mistakes,” Bond maintained that APNU, under Norton’s leadership, remains the only viable alternative to the PPP in the upcoming elections.
