In a candid revelation, former PNCR executive member and attorney Thandi McAllister highlighted the party’s failure to uphold its promises regarding youth engagement during its time in power. On the Starting Point podcast, McAllister expressed her dismay over the neglect of young people in governance, despite the party’s strong campaign pledges to amplify their inclusion.
Reflecting on the years 2015 to 2017, she noted a significant absence of youth roles in decision-making processes, contradicting the PNCR’s initial commitment to prioritize youth voices. Young party members, she shared, had passionately pushed for greater representation, yet their efforts were largely overlooked.
McAllister felt a profound internal struggle, torn between loyalty to the party and disappointment over its actions. She believes the PNCR failed to nurture and retain talented young individuals, stating, “I don’t think the party did enough to retain the young, bright minds it had then.”
Commenting on former President David Granger’s recent appeal for young voters to dismiss “empty promises,” McAllister remarked that his credibility diminished during his presidency due to unfulfilled commitments. She articulated, “Granger’s words would resonate more if he had acted on them when he was in office. Instead, what we witnessed was a dismissal of young voices.”
Describing her departure from the party as both painful and necessary, McAllister underscored the ongoing struggle for relevance that echoes the experience of many youths under Granger’s leadership.
Source: guyanachronicle.com
