Political Affairs Committee (British Guiana) Explained

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) was a political party in British Guiana.

History

The PAC was formed on 6 November 1946 by Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Ashton Chase and Jocelyn Hubbard.[1] On the same day it started producing the PAC Bulletin, printing 60 copies.[1] The bulletin was usually published once or twice a month.[2] The party called for the introduction of universal suffrage and self-government, fair wage rules and land reform.[1] [2] However, the press supporting the colonial regime labelled the PAC as a communist front.[1]

The party put forward three candidates for the 1947 general elections, the Jagans and Hubbard, although they contested the elections as independents.[2] Cheddi Jagan contested the Central Demerara seat against John D'Aguiar (the incumbent), HL Palmer and Frank Jacob; Jagan won with 31% of the vote. Janet Jagan contested Georgetown Central constituency, finishing second, whilst Hubbard ran in Georgetown North, losing after a campaign marred by racism.[2]

On 1 January 1950 the PAC merged with the British Guiana Labour Party to form the People's Progressive Party.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.guyana.org/features/guyanastory/chapter116.html The Political Affairs Committee
  2. http://www.guyana.org/features/guyanastory/chapter117.html The PAC and the 1947 elections
  3. http://aceproject.org/regions-en/countries-and-territories/GY/reports/guyana-general-and-regional-elections-2001-report Guyana General and Regional Elections 19 March 2001