If the opposition cannot stop some laws then make them more palatable

Dear Editor,
It’s nice to hear that Mr Stanley Ming and other former Reform members will seek to engage the Guyanese people, and based on feedback will determine whether and how they would re-engage in active political life. He is right about the majority party having the last say on legislation, but that is what happens in any democracy. What he needs to determine is how to better use the system to bring to the general public and the government those issues that he finds onerous.

The President may be challenged legally to obey the laws on dealing with bills for his signature. The Public Accounts Committee chairman is a PNCR member which should have some impact on their work. The sectoral committees may be more effective if the opposition position was better explained and accepted by civil society. If you cannot stop some laws, then make them more palatable. The opposition must shed their ‘slo fyah’ or ‘no’ image, to ‘We are willing to support this if you make these changes.’ The first step in winning elections is to convince the majority that you will do better for them than the opposition. You start building trust by showing that your policies and leadership make more sense than others.

Yours faithfully,
(Name and address  provided)