Dear Editor,
The commencement of Guyana’s Tenth Parliament started on a shaky footing. The chief factor is immaturity, which I mistakenly thought was evident only on the opposition benches, but to my dismay it is alive and well in the governing party as well. Can anyone tell me why the President is griping and issuing veiled threats to the opposition? It is because the PPP/C did not get its way in the choice of a Speaker. It was quite clear at the conclusion of general elections held in 2011 that things would change in the way government as we know it would be conducted. The PPP/C was given a mandate to govern, albeit with a minority in parliament, with the combined opposition having a one seat majority. Not a unique occurrence in the world of politics by any means, but an important milestone for the Guyana landscape. The way this new-case scenario unfolds will determine if Guyana’s politics have matured. The opposition knowing their strength have been exercising the privilege of selecting a Speaker from within their ranks, which is normal behaviour. I am inclined to say, however, what is abnormal is the way the PPP/C has reacted. They have been petty and childish in their approach. Their attitude to the whole affair reeks of things must be done their way or no way at all; that it is their prerogative to select the Speaker. Very wrong I would say; no one party or group has the right to the Speaker’s chair, and this is pellucidly clear judging from the way the electorate has spoken. What the people have said is that everyone in the House must work together for its good and there should not be a dogmatic approach from any side. So there was no need for a lecture from the President on anything; he was just spewing out the narrow political rhetoric that we have grown accustomed to in those years when the PPP/C held sway. However, things have changed and the party must contend with the opposition. The fact is all parties must work together.
So what is the ruling party grumbling about? I think they are very worried that the combined opposition will create a situation where government business like the upcoming budget would be held hostage, and nothing would get done. But this is a misconception; they are passing judgement on them before they are even tried. One cannot take a narrow myopic position because this is just courting trouble even before it has happened.
The PPP/C should grant two of the ministries to the opposition, such as the Ministry of Local Government to APNU. Let them prove to the people that they can turn things around in the towns and villages, something the ruling party failed to do in nineteen years. The Ministry of Works and Communications should be committed to the AFC to effect some transformation there also. In doing this shared or inclusive governance would truly be in effect.
However, if good sense does not prevail then there is no other alternative but to return to the people who created this situation in the first place.
Yours faithfully,
Neil Adams
