By Svetlana Marshall

Human rights activist and former Minister under the APNU+AFC Government, Simona Broomes, has branched out on her own and has formed a new political party to contest the upcoming elections.

Broomes, who was also a member of the People’s National Congress, has launched the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP).

At the launching on Saturday, Broomes vowed to be the voice of the voiceless, while confronting poverty, corruption, crime, domestic violence, discriminatory practices and injustice.

“We are here to be the voice of the voiceless, to stand and fight against violence and crime, and violence against women, and to be that good change for a better Guyana,” Broomes said in her opening address. 

In 2013, Ms. Broomes was awarded by the US Government as an International Hero in the fight against Trafficking in Persons.  She started that fight against Trafficking in Persons as she served as a gold miner and businesswoman. She was one of the founders of the Women Miners Association.

She has continued that fight in and out of Government and now intends to champion democratic values, ensure greater access to free and quality education, fair wages, citizen security, innovation and technology while building resilient infrastructure.

“A lot of people ask me about manifesto but I don’t want to hear the word manifesto. We going to talk about our vision and our blue print. We have too much of failed manifestos lying somewhere with dust on it, and has not changed the lives of the ordinary Guyanese people. We have too much manifestos out there and teachers are still moving from their homes because they can’t afford their rent and living on a dam without toilet. We have too much manifestos that speak to changing the lives of police officers. We have too much manifestos that speak to the lives of women but yet still with all of these resources poverty is upon us like never before,” the ALP Party Leader said.    

The ALP already has a membership of over 1000 persons, Broomes revealed.

Speaking directly to the electorate, Broomes, she urged Guyanese to give the ALP a chance to make a difference.

“We will be knocking at your doors. If there is anybody that is undecided and don’t know who to vote for, ALP is saying come home. If we have young first-time voters come home. ALP must be the home for those who feel that there is no home,” the mother of three urged.

Further, describing the party as one with great integrity, Broomes, who is known for being on ground and among the grassroots, made it clear that there are “no big financial backers,” and no one to dictate the actions of the party. 

On the sidelines of launch, Broomes, who served as Government Minister under the David Granger Administration between 2015 and 2020, told reporters that she has long severed ties with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

She said the ALP is an independent party, offering no indication of a willingness to coalesce with any other party ahead of the Elections.

AFC Leader Nigel Hughes, and Equality and Justice Party Leader, Jaipaul Sharma, were among the well-wishers, supporters and other invitees gathered at he launch of the new party.

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