Former MP Audwin Rutherford Denies virtue signalling

WHEN FORMER REGION TEN ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE (AFC) MEMBER OF
PARLIAMENT (MP) Mr. Audwin Rutherford pilloried his party for “losing its way” and
subsequently resigning following the coalition’s loss at the 2020 polls, he was not virtue
signalling as contended by incumbent party MP, Deonarine ‘Ricky’ Ramsaroop.
“I have nothing, absolutely nothing against the party. I would have made a statement at
resignation that they have lost their way and that is my opinion. I am free to have an opinion on
whatever, and if the way they go about business now is how they see themselves growing, the
party is free to do that,” Rutherford told www.aroundtheregions.com in an exclusive.
Rutherford insisted that the performance of the party triggered him losing faith in the future of
the political outfit entity he helped forge and get elected to office six years ago.
However, recently appointed AFC MP in a public critique, chastised Rutherford for what he said
was his poor performance as a legislator, proceeding to savage him for crying foul when he was
overlooked for the Twelfth Parliament.
However, Rutherford who was in no mood for a tit-for-tat with the rookie parliamentarian,
reminding www.aroundtheregions.com that he had already alerted his party executives that he,
along with two other law makers, didn’t want consideration as legislators in the new Assembly.
Rutherford said he is committed to serving residents of the bauxite-mining Region despite his
exit from formal politics.
This was boosted when Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, appointed him on the
Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI) Board of Directors in Upper Demerara/Berbice
(Region Ten).
He said that his acceptance of the invitation to serve on the board was an indication of his
commitment and willingness to continue serving.

“I have no grudge with the party and I have no issue with the party. I served the party to the best
of my ability and indeed truly in my time there were some issues within the party I am not
anyone to be washing (dirty) linens outside, and no one can say that I didn’t have a strong voice
in any closed- door meeting,” Rutherford argued.
“I am comfortable with my decision and my interest is personal: my kids, family, community,
nation. I wouldn’t be devoting energies to answering (questions) or casting blame on the AFC.
The party would have served a useful purpose in Guyana, one must say that, whether it continues
to serve that purpose is another matter,” the former AFC parliamentarian reasoned.
“If I am forced to write the words AFC, I would usually put a big P, a big N a little a, a
little f and a big C! So, within that you can see the AFC,” Rutherford quipped.