2018 marks...

The PPP won 18 out of 24 seats and continued to win all elections from then on until it lost office in 1964, thanks to the intrigues of Anglo-American vested interests in collaboration with local reactionary forces which included the PNC and the United Force.

What transpired after that is now history and represented a break from competitive electoral politics based on the Westminster model of majoritarian rule. From 1968 the PNC rigged all elections until democracy was finally restored to the country on October 1992 which once again was decisively won by the PPP.

There are some who attributed the success of the PPP to race politics which, they argued gave the PPP a competitive advantage at the polls by virtue of a predominant Indian base. This, however, masks some fundamental characteristics of the PPP among which is the working class orientation of the party and its embrace of an ideology that transcends the narrow confines of race and religion.

It is this universalistic appeal of the PPP that is responsible for the party enjoying the confidence of the Guyanese right across the ethnic and religious spectrum of the society. The PPP is the largest multi-ethnic party in Guyana with significant Amerindian and AfroGuyanese support in addition to its core IndoGuyanese support base. This is why any discussion on inclusive governance, national unity and social cohesion cannot ignore this fundamental reality.

This is by no means an attempt to downplay race as an important variable in our national politics. It is merely an attempt to refocus attention away from ethno-culturalism determinism to one that is more class-oriented where the working and living conditions of all Guyanese regardless of race or ethnicity must be placed at the centre of our developmental agenda. All Guyanese look forward to the good life and it is the duty and responsibility of the government to ensure that its policies and programmes are reflective of this fundamental truth. Yours faithfully, Hydar Ally at the intersection with Winter Place while Joseph was crossing the road.

As a result, the woman was reportedly dragged about 39 meters and her left foot was severed. The vehicle came to a halt some 158 meters from the point of impact, according to investigators.

Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel and she was later positively identified by her daughter. Shirley Joseph related that her mother was on her way to the Bourda Post Office to collect her pension.

Stabroek News understands that a breathalyser test was administered to the driver but no alcohol was detected in his breath. He remains in custody.