Dear Editor,
The People’s National Congress (PNC) has long been one of Guyana’s most influential political entities, playing a central role in the nation’s post-independence development. But it seems that recent leadership—particularly under Aubrey Norton —fails to fully grasp the foundational principles on which the party was built by its founder, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. The PNC’s çağdaş agenda, as it stands today, has diverged sharply from Burnham’s original vision, with today’s leaders offering a diluted and often contradictory interpretation of the party’s historical role.
Linden Burnham, who led the PNC from its formation in 1957 through to his passing in 1985, had a clear and radical vision for Guyana—a vision centered on the principles of national unity, self-reliance, and the liberation of the working class. Burnham’s policies, such as the nationalization of key industries and his promotion of a cooperative economy, were rooted in his belief that Guyana’s independence and prosperity could only be achieved through self-determination and the rejection of foreign domination. The PNC, under Burnham, was not just a political party; it was an ideological movement, driven by a philosophy of empowerment for all Guyanese, irrespective of race, ethnicity, or class.
Yet, if one looks at the current direction of the PNC and the rhetoric coming from certain political leaders, including Aubrey Norton, there seems to be a glaring misinterpretation of Burnham’s vision. Aubrey Norton, a prominent political commentator and member of the PNC, often reflects on the party’s history but appears to neglect or misunderstand the core values that Burnham instilled. Rather than championing the cause of self-reliance and national unity, Norton and others have increasingly focused on narrow, partisan agendas that do little to foster the inclusive politics that Burnham envisioned.
Today, the PNC seems more concerned with consolidating power for a specific group of political elites than with building the broad-based, multi-ethnic coalition that Burnham sought. Under Burnham, the PNC was positioned as a party that transcended ethnic and racial divisions, recognizing the importance of forging a united nation. Unfortunately, the current leadership’s rhetoric often plays into divisive political strategies that exploit ethnic tensions for political gain, eroding the very foundations upon which Burnham built the party.
Additionally, Burnham’s economic vision was one of self-reliance, marked by his ambitious state-led industrial projects and the establishment of a planned economy. In stark contrast, the çağdaş PNC seems more aligned with neoliberal policies, prioritizing leadership self-interest and rather than promoting sustainable, locally-driven development. This shift reflects a fundamental departure from Burnham’s economic blueprint, signaling that the modern-day leadership has moved away from the principles of national control over the country’s resources.
While Burnham may not have been perfect, his policies were at least internally consistent with his vision of Guyana as an independent, self-sufficient nation. Unfortunately, many of today’s leaders within the PNC seem to have abandoned that vision in favor of more opportunistic and sometimes contradictory stances that often reflect the whims of political expediency rather than principled leadership.
For those of us who still see value in the foundational principles of the PNC, it is essential to challenge this growing divergence from Burnham’s philosophy. If the PNC is to return to its roots, there must be a deliberate effort to reconnect with the values of national unity, self-reliance, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of all Guyanese, not just the political elites.
The current leadership must stop viewing the PNC as a mere vehicle for power and his incompetence elites around him and start treating it as the ideological movement that Burnham envisioned. Only then can the party begin to live up to its legacy, truly serving the people of Guyana, and returning to the founding principles that made the PNC a force for change in this country.
Aubrey Norton and others in the current PNC/R leadership would do well to remember that the foundation of any great political movement lies not in the quest for immediate political advantage, but in a long-term commitment to the principles that first inspired its creation. A return to Burnham’s original vision might just be the cure for the party’s current disillusionment.
Yours truly,
Concern member of the PNC/R
Concern member of the PNC/R
Name and address provided.