Dear Editor,
We are marking time and hurting ourselves. As we look across Guyana, it is evident that we face serious challenges that must be addressed forthwith if we are to ensure that we—the rightful heirs of this nation—benefit from its resources. Those resources must be exploited in a sustainable manner, and the rights and freedoms of all must be respected under a universally established principle, which in Guyana is the Constitution and the laws.
Everywhere we turn, there is a troubling reality. There is hopelessness on one side and hustle on the other. Some have come to accept that survival requires compromise—that it is better to break the rules, align with wrongdoing, or place pride and dignity underfoot just to secure a morsel. That is not the society our ancestors fought to build. They struggled for a land where every citizen could live with dignity.
Today, we are confronted with insurmountable problems, both internally and externally, yet we are failing to come together in a unifying manner to find common ground. Instead, we continue to argue that the Constitution is the problem, blaming an instrument that some refuse to learn how to use, and others even as they learn misguidedly refuse to apply. In so far as the Constitution exists, Government and Opposition are bound by oath and the Constitution to uphold it in spirit, intent and to the letter. There is no excuse.
On one hand the government expresses it was elected to govern under the same constitution that it chooses to ignore and violate after election without consequences from a united Opposition whose constituents are affected by its decisions. The government nor opposition can cherry pick which aspect of the constitution it chooses to uphold.
This very Constitution makes clear that this nation belongs to all of us, that all citizens are entitled to rights and freedoms, and that the principal political objective is the pursuit of “inclusionary democracy,” expressly stated at Article 13. Yet what we see in practice is a country operating as disparate groups, where some believe others have no right to fairness, equity or even existence. Something is fundamentally wrong in this society, and we must fix it.
The opposition cannot escape responsibility. Whether it chooses to call itself a coalition or not is beside the point. Under our parliamentary system, it sits in the opposition and carries a duty to the people. Even while pursuing separate interests, it must work toward a common agenda—one grounded in the Constitution, the rule of law, and universally accepted principles that advance the interests of the people, not political actors.
The fact that some are now arguing there is no coalition in the opposition—when the National Assembly itself is structured as government and opposition precisely to facilitate coordinated scrutiny of the government—is deeply disappointing. Nothing prevents them from working collectively on matters that affect the very people they were elected to represent. They empower the regime to disrespect “inclusionary democracy” when one party/partnership refuses to see the power of united opposition and work together on the people’s common interest.
The common denominator is a selfish, uncaring, and draconian government whose policies affect not only opposition constituents but citizens across the board, including its own supporters. To pretend that cooperation is impossible because there is no formal, legally binding coalition is to place the concept of coalition in a straitjacket. A coalition does not have to be permanent or rigidly binding to be effective. To adopt such a narrow and self-serving view risks weakening the opposition and doing further harm to the people it is duty-bound to defend.
The opposition may differ in views and priorities, but it still has a responsibility to ensure that its actions are consistent with the Constitution and the laws. Yet we continue to hear the repeated call to change the Constitution, while ignoring a fundamental truth: any change to the Constitution must be done in accordance with the Constitution itself. It cannot be altered outside of its own provisions.
The people of this society are not being well served.
And for those who question the role of the trade union movement, let me make this very clear: a people who forget their history lack the ability to apply the lessons learnt. It was Labour, under Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, that laid the foundation for internal self-government as far back as 1926, advancing the principle of one-man one-vote. Workers fought for self-determination and have consistently defended the protection of rights. That protection is rooted in a simple but powerful principle: your rights begin and end where mine begin. In upholding your rights, you have no authority to deny mine. For years, the trade union movement continued to remind of this very principle.
Politics is not complex; politics is about people and their development. If our politicians accept that it is not about them, but about the people who entrusted them with authority through the vote, the country would be on a more progressive pathway, thus allowing the people to be better served.
Something is deeply wrong with our politics.
It is particularly troubling when a minister suggests that being elected to govern removes the obligation to consult. That position is not only incorrect—it is dangerous. It disregards the very foundation of this society, which is built on dignity and respect. If you respect your fellow citizens, you cannot deny them a voice in decisions that affect their lives. Article 13 of the Constitution makes this obligation clear.
What we are witnessing is a failure of leadership and a failure of understanding. Too many who hold office appear not to grasp the basic principles of governance, consultation, and accountability. Reckless statements and weak justifications for excluding the people from decision-making are inexcusable.
Guyana does not belong to a single opposition or government. Guyana belongs to all of us and we are all part of the government by constitutional inclusion that grants us also participation in the decision-making. The Government is behaving as though it owns the country and they are all that matters when it comes to government and decision-making, and a section of the opposition has also adopted this attitude.
While we remain distracted by petty and nonsensical arguments, the world is moving on. Foreign interests continue to expand their presence here. Our children are not being equipped to function effectively in this economy. We are not building anything of substance to ensure sustainable development. And the burden of that failure will fall squarely on the shoulders of young generations.
They must not accept this as normal. Society cannot function on individualism alone. The well-being of each citizen is tied to that of another. Where poverty exists, it brings crime, deprivation, and social illness. No serious society—and no serious leader—should accept widespread deprivation as a condition for stability. We must get up. We must stand up. We must fix it.
And to the young people, this is your time, your generation, your future. You must rise and advocate for the enforcement of the Constitution that guarantees your rights and inclusion. If you do not, others will continue to decide your future without you—and that is a price this nation can no longer afford.