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British forces deposed Guyana's elected prime minister, Cheddi
Jagan, head of
the left-oriented People's Progressive Party (October).
The PPP's introduction of the Labour Relations Act provoked a confrontation
with the British. This law ostensibly was aimed at reducing intraunion
rivalries, but would have favored the GIWU, which was closely aligned with the
ruling party. The opposition charged that the PPP was seeking to gain control
over the colony's economic and social life and was moving to stifle the
opposition. The day the act was introduced to the legislature, the GIWU went on
strike in support of the proposed law. The British government interpreted this
intermingling of party politics and labor unionism as a direct challenge to the
constitution and the authority of the governor. The day after the act was
passed, on October 9, 1953, London suspended the colony's constitution and,
under pretext of quelling disturbances, sent in troops.
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