Dear Editor,
Reference the Stabroek News article on the reasons for my resignation from Parliament (‘Vieira withdrew resignation as PNCR-1G,’ 9.1.09). The article is inaccurate and speculative and does not reflect the truth.
On more than one occasion I have stated publicly on ‘The Evening News’ that I had submitted my resignation from Parliament to the leader of the PNCR-1G, Mr Robert Corbin. The resignation is dated March 28, 2008. I have also publicly stated that my sole reason for so doing was the fact that I abhor wasting time and that is what I felt I was doing. Any legislature in any country which is structured as ours is, will be an ineffective tool to enact legislation on behalf of a democracy.
Over 200 years ago when the US constitution was being crafted Mr Madison (who became the fourth president of the US) was told by numerous sources that it was not possible to write a democratic constitution for a country as large as the US and with so many different interests and factions. Madison, however, thought otherwise and opined that if the three arms of government − the executive, the judicial and the legislative − could be separated and insulated from allowing any one arm to control any other arm then it would be possible to have a functioning democracy.
In Guyana the Burnham 1980 constitution, which was a constitution intended to set Guyana on a socialist path rather than a democratic path, placed so much power in the executive arm of government that it can control the other two arms, the legislature and the judiciary. The constitutional reform process failed to undo this damage and the PPP has consistently failed to understand that having democratic elections is pointless unless we have a functioning democracy, so we go through this ridiculous exercise every five years of having ‘democratic elections’ to elect a dictator for the next five years.
What I said when I announced my resignation on my evening newscast − and I am sure that some members of the public will remember it and the tape is also there to prove it − was that if Sir Winston Churchill, the greatest orator who ever worked within the Westminster system, was to address our parliament for one hour and deliver the best speech he ever made in his entire life, he would not be able to change the vote of one PPP MP assembled there to carry out the agenda of the executive and Freedom House, and that makes a farce of our entire legislative process.
I resent the fact that even though I have said all of this publicly on numerous occasions that anyone can now equate my frustration with the National Assembly and my ability to change nothing with problems that Mr Robert Corbin is having within the PNC.
I have no problem with Mr Corbin or the PNCR, and the public is aware that I am fearless enough in speaking the truth and would tell them if I did have problems with the PNCR. I actually enjoy working with them, and neither Mr Corbin nor the PNCR has ever tried to curb my independence, and I will state here again that I am not a member of the PNCR, I am in collaboration with them on the One Guyana Platform which I see as the next third force in 2011. What is needed, however, are independent people such as myself who will be partners with the PNC and not be subsumed by them, and that is why I decided to stay, especially since Mr Corbin, Mr Winston Murray, Mr Lance Carberry and the actual supporters of the PNCR have asked me to do so. Even as I continue to find the process useless and frustrating and unrewarding I am a little flattered by that, ie that they value my input so much.
I still really don’t see what useful purpose my being in that Parliament will serve this nation; the nation itself must be made to understand that just putting opposition members of Parliament in the house will guarantee them nothing, and that only through their [the public’s] continued militancy can they empower us to function in their best interest.
Thursday’s events in the house when they passed the Trade Union Recognition [Amendment] Bill despite the fact that all opposition parties walked out of the house for the debates on it, is a good example of how arrogant the PPP have become when dealing with the opposition and the people they represent in this country.
Yours faithfully,
Anthony J Vieira,
MS MP
A country must be one of laws and not of men or parties. The legislature is where laws are made for the governance of the country. Members of parliament are lagislators who represent the people and not the parties. While they may be occupying an allocation of seats entitled to a particular party a member of parliament’s responsibility is to the people. He who occupies a seat and voluntarily gives it up no longer represents the people. This idea of serving no useful purpose to the party in parliament is completely misguided. If the government is doing something that is illegal then the judicial arm must be activated to review and adjudicate on the constitutionality of the action. If the laws need changing then it is the legislators who have to demonstrate statemanship and parliamentary quality to change it. This party paramountcy concept introduced by the PNC and ADOPTED BY the PPP is corrupting the spirit of the law. Mr. Viera you have abondoned ship because you contribute to party paramountcy. I put my trust in the AFC leadership to restore the true administrative framework for our new democracy.
After such a sensible piece, storme; tell us how the AFC leadership can “restore the true administrative framework for our new democracy.”
I am afraid that unless the political leadership can inspire the people to take action against this government, Guyana will return to the dark days of Burnhamism.
Walter Rodney always said that the problem in Guyana under Burnham may appear too huge for us to overcome because Burnham was such a powerful figure and force, but then he observed that it was only a handful of people who actually wielded all the power.
Look at what happened after Burnham died: Hoyte took over and the he died, and now we are left with Corbin. What has become of the mighty PNC? Well, have faith and see that the same could happen to the PPP, because neither the PPP nor the PNC has governed in the people’s interest. Time for change…again!!! 1992 was not enough!!!
Andy, with all of de blackouts we are in de dark days of Jagdeo.Thank god fo de lil moon light.
Re-read Mr. Vieira’s letter. He has not abandoned ship. He is just frustrated with the hypocricy of our system of governance which makes parlaiament a veritable pappy show. What Mr. Vieira’s letter brings out forcibly is that the time has come, regardless of what Mr. Jagdeo says, for us to change our system of governance for us to move forward and become a nation that can demand the respect of our regional neighbours and others.
Nice try at damage control Vieira.
PPP/C and PNC/R are two peas in the same pod. It is a very difficult task for this country to break from the petty, playful politics of both parties
Quite an informative, frank and serious response, Mr Vieira. Perhaps it is time to reign in the dictatorial rule of the PPP/C. I have no regrets supporting Robert Corbin and his style of leadership since he assumed the leadership of the PNC/R, However, is wish to say to Robert Corbin that it is a must to organize and agitate; it is the only language this elected dictatorship understands.
I cannot believe and is now becoming suspicious that in the presence of these glaring and disrespectful acts by the government (the latest being the Trade Union Recognition Ammendment Bill), that all Mr Corbin is willing to do is walk out of parliament. Look, Robert, if your hands are tied or for some other reason you have compromised your right to be militant as Opposition Leader, you may as well bow out gracefully.
I am beginning to understand in a different light what Alexander was trying to tell this nation. Enough is enough, Robert, take the PPP/C on or leave the leadership of the party. I cannot believe a seasoned politician like yourself is offering half hearted and toothless leadership, as the PPP/C laughs in our faces and get away with the atrocities.
This is becoming a joke now. Act or leave, Robert.
So now Mr. Vieira. Tell me… “What changes are there that will accommodate or change your frustration now?” Anyway, I still believe that you have something to offer Guyanese, you are one of the few that still has his head in place, but come 2011 you may regret your ties to Corbin!!
I join you ‘whole-heartedly’ in this call. I do believe that it is too late for Corbin. The opposition should NOT be thinking in terms of ONE MORE term for the PPP and we will get them out in the following election, they should be all ‘gunning’ to replace the PPP in 2011, COMPLACENCY has NO PLACE in this drive!!!!
OH my Norman u have seen the light, wonders never cease. I was wondering y u went silent. Anyway could Tony tell us y he has not carried any press conference hosted by Team Alexander with the expection of the 1st two. It is a double standard to critise the PPP Mp’s of not being able to change a vote when u know u cannot vote against a motion put forward by the PNC or even decline to. Your deafening silence against Corbin’s incompetence as Leader of the Opposition speaks volumes.
Corbin will not organise Norman. A change in leadership is needed. You cannot be a leader when Jagdeo treats you like a boy. Even Cheddie could not do that to Burnham.
“I am afraid that unless the political leadership can inspire the people to take action against this government, Guyana will return to the dark days of Burnhamism.” What are you saying Andy? Tell us of a PERIOD during the Burnham years that was worst than NOW. HONESTLY!
Blinds would of never seen the dark, agonizing years of the burnamite pnc regime.
so you are back with them to be “useless” again…….
not before long you will “resign” again and be gone for good……..
What you guys missing here,is that Veiera and his colleagues supported and voted for the MP recall bill,so no MPs can cross the floor.Now he crying wolf. These guys in Guyana are so pathetic.
That is the way to keep the fellas in line,did you notice no legislation to recall the Prez, and they called that reform.If MP’s can be recall, then same should go for the Prez, PPP or PNC .
So I wonder why Veiera complaining about not being democratic. Corbin and his camped cross the line when they supported the recall bill.
Sorry folks, but to me, there are no sane people in this Robert Corbin asylum, mind you, this Anthony Vieira dude sounds like he knows exactly ‘what time it is’ but….Somehow, in politics, there is always a suspicious BUT.