Guyana desperately needs a new breed of politician

Dear Editor,

I have read statements in the press reportedly attributed to two senior government officials. In one circumstance, a Minister, who is also an attorney-at-law, is quoted as saying that the government will not remove their dual citizens from Parliament until the Caribbean Court of Justice rules on the issue. In another instance, another government official is quoted in the press as saying, “I don’t know that there is a court action filed against anyone from attending…so all parliamentarians will be attending Parliament.”

Mr Editor, these statements not only strike at the heart of the rule of law in Guyana but are examples of the crass, coarse and lack of decency presently permeating in the Granger administration. One would expect this attorney-at-law to uphold his oath to defend the rule of law in this country. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have pronounced on the issue: dual citizens cannot sit in Parliament because they have pledged allegiance to foreign powers. It is quite clear that our politicians believe that our country has two sets of laws; one for the ordinary citizens and one for them. It is clear that one can’t expect better from a party whose founder rigged elections in this country for more than two decades.

On the other hand, the Opposition is no different. The Opposition has elected a man to run for President who is incapable of holding a press conference or producing his qualifications for scrutiny. One shudders to think that this man may be President one day.

Mr Editor, our country is in desperate need for a new breed of politician. The AFC was perceived to be this breed, but they have shown their true colours; they are just as crass as the PNC. One wonders why the Frank Anthonys and the Anil Nandlalls have been sidelined.

Yours faithfully,

Krishnanandat Arjune