Declaration of Sophia

Chapter 2 The Role of The Party

2.1 In November of last year (1973) there was a Special Congress four months after our Party had won a two-thirds majority in Parliament. At this Congress, there were serious examination and a definition of the role of the Party in the new circumstances.

2.2 It was agreed after lengthy discussion that the emphasis should be on mobilising the nation in every sphere and not merely for periodic elections and in support of specific action and programmes. It was also decided that the Party should assume unapologetically its paramountcy over the Government which is merely one of its executive arms.

2.3 The comrades demanded that the country be given practical and theoretical leadership at all levels - political, economic, social and cultural - by the P.N.C which had become the major national institution.

2.4 It had been customary at succeeding Congresses, for delegates to criticise the attitudes of persons serving in various other institutions and agencies and to complain that such persons were not alive to, or appreciative of, the Party's and Government's thrust and policy. In fact, in some cases, there were allegations of sabotage.

2.5 While one cannot deny categorically that there have been instances of the latter, one must also admit that a man who has not been told, and set an example, cannot be expected to perform according to new norms and principles. We must realise that we cannot wish away the legacies of our colonial period.

The Party Constitution

2.6 That Special Congress first tackled the question of The Party Constitution and having fixed certain principles, committed to the General Council the task of redrafting our Constitution. That redraft comes up for consideration and ratification and/or amendment later in this Congress.

2.7 While a Constitution is a mere document and cannot itself bring about a change of attitude, organisation or direction, nor yet again by its mere formulation achieve a new emphasis or orientation, it certainly can provide the framework within which all these things can be realised.

2.8 I do not propose to examine the draft constitution in detail. I would merely like to refer to some of its significant features.

2.9 That ours is a Socialist Party, committed to practising Co-operative Socialism, is declared, and the objects are fully and clearly set out.
Some of these are:

(1) To secure and maintain through the practice of co-operative socialism, the interests, well-being and prosperity of ALL the people of Guyana.

(2) To pursue our commitment to the Socialist ideal and more particularly to ensure that the people of Guyana own and control for their benefit the natural resources of the country.

(3) To provide every Guyanese the opportunity to work for and share in the economic well-being of the country and to ensure that there is equality of opportunity in the political, economic and social life of the country.

(4) To motivate the people of Guyana to improve by their own efforts and through the Party, the communities in which they live.

(5) To pursue constantly the goal of national self-reliance.

(6) To work for the closest possible association of Guyana with her Caribbean neighbours and to maintain a link with International Organisations and Agencies whose aims and objectives are consistent with those of the People's National Congress.