Former Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin, has died at the age of 78. Corbin, who is also a former Leader of the Opposition, passed away at a city hospital on Sunday. He had been ailing for some time.
Corbin leaves to mourn his wife, Carol Corbin, five children including Justice Fidela Corbin, and other relatives, friends and supporters. Born as Robert Herman Orlando Corbin in Linden, Region 10, his journey in the party as one of its long-serving members began in the 1970s when he joined the PNC’s youth arm, the Young Socialist Movement (YSM), and eventually rose to the helm as its chairman.
Corbin went onto take up a seat on the party’s Central Executive Committee and later served as the General Secretary. He was also elected to the National Assembly in the 1970s and went onto serve in several senior positions, both within the party and in the PNCR Government.
Having served as Parliamentary Secretary and Minister within the PNC regime, Corbin then became a Deputy Prime Minister (PM) from 1985 to 1992 under the Desmond Hoyte presidency.
He was also elected PNC Chairman in 2000 and subsequently became the party’s leader following Hotye’s death in December of that year. He served as the party’s leader until July 2012, when David Granger was elected to the post.

Over the years, however, Corbin continued to serve the party in an advisory capacity and was even instrumental in forming the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – an alliance of political parties of which the PNCR is the largest member.

Irreplaceable loss
In a statement on Sunday, the PNCR and APNU paid tribute to the long-serving party member, whom they said served the party as well as the country with distinction. “He was an astute, loyal, disciplined and hardworking member of the PNCR,” the party said. “Comrade Corbin was a shrewd politician, an avid promoter of coalition politics that is credited with leading the PNCR into coalition politics that eventually resulted in the 2015 APNU+AFC (Alliance For Change) Coalition, and its concomitant victory.”
Notwithstanding his strong commitment to politics, the PNCR said Corbin was able to operate in the professional realm and became a lawyer, while continuing to serve the party. In fact, the PNCR said even during his illness, he continued to give advice to the party.
“Comrade Corbin’s death is an irreplaceable loss to the PNCR and he will surely be missed. May his soul rest in peace as we continue to benefit from his lasting contributions to our Party and Guyana,” the PNC said, as it extended condolences to Corbin’s family, colleagues and friends.

“Political stalwart”
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post on Sunday, President Dr Irfaan Ali described Corbin as a “political stalwart.”
According to the Head of State, “As a former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Government and longstanding Member of Parliament, Mr Corbin occupied a place of prominence in public life.”
President Ali went on to extend his sincere condolences to Corbin’s family and loved ones, to the leadership and membership of the PNC, and to its supporters throughout Guyana and the diaspora.
“May his family, colleagues and supporters find strength and comfort in the memories of his life and service, and may his soul rest in eternal peace,” the Guyanese Leader stated.

Open communications
Similarly, Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has also expressed deep sadness at the passing of Corbin and extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the members and supporters of his party.
Jagdeo, a former President of Guyana from 1999 to 2011, recalled that Corbin devoted much of his life to public service and to the PNCR.
He also reflected on interactions with Corbin over years, noting that their communication continued even out of office.

“During my presidency, on numerous occasions, Mr Corbin and I engaged on matters of national importance. Though we represented opposing political parties, our relationship was cordial and respectful. Even through difficult and turbulent periods in our country’s life, we maintained the ability to speak with one another, a respect that continued beyond our time in office,” said Jagdeo in social media post.
He added, “May his family and loved ones find comfort and strength, and may his service to Guyana be remembered with respect.”
Meanwhile, other Ministers in the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government including Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, as well as Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand also expressed condolences on Corbin’s passing.
According to Nandlall, “Although we were from opposing political sides, we shared a healthy and respectful relationship and had many common friends and clients. He was a most able speaker in the National Assembly who commanded the attention of both sides of the House whenever he took the floor. Many years of his life were dedicated to serving the people of Guyana, his Party and its supporters.”
Likewise, Manickchand said it was also during their time in the National Assembly, “…where I actually served with him and grew to know him a bit more than just as a public figure and political activist we’d see in the news. He had a different depth from many who represent his party currently. May his soul rest in peace.”
Moreover, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) – one of the parties within the APNU alliance – also joined in expressing condolences on Corbin’s passing. He was the PNC leader that the WPA worked closest with.
“We remember him chiefly as one of the architects of the APNU… He was, therefore, an impactful leader, who at a critical historical juncture placed cause and the collective good above narrow partisan interests,” the WPA said.