There is no special retirement package for the Leader of the Opposition

Jan 13, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Reference is made to Emile Mervin’s letter, “Speculating on the Corbin factor in a possible Jagdeo-Corbin partnership” (Kaieteur News, 10 January). In this letter Mervin claims that a retirement package awaits Mr. Robert Corbin, as Leader of the Opposition.
This is not true. There is no special retirement package for the Leader of the Opposition and it is unfortunate Mervin continues to tell this lie to the nation. Mr. Corbin, were he to retire from the National Assembly today would enjoy the same benefits like the AFC Members of Parliament.
The Leader of the Opposition is a constitutional position voted for by Opposition members in the National Assembly. As of now Mr. Corbin holds that position. Also, it does not prevent any member of the AFC from holding that position should the opposition members vote him or her to be the Leader.
It may help if Mervin can inform the nation if the AFC voted against the Leader of the Opposition Bill and the President Retirement Package.
Also, if Mervin is displeased with both or either Bill(s) he should ask the AFC to take parliamentary action to change them as his show of genuine commitment, as against cheap politicking to divert attention from the real and urgent problems facing the society.
It would also help too if he advises the public why the AFC has a voting record that strongly supports the PPP, even giving support to ignoring the rights of others as seen with the Public Service Commission fiasco. The public would love to hear from Mr. Mervin on these issues.
The paranoia with Mr. Corbin, or any individual for that matter, is not licence to tell tales to the public.
PNCR members elect their leaders, and while some may not like who the members elect that is our choice and we will not let anyone take that right away from us. While many in society do not like the AFC leaders and wish them gone, I will defend the right of the AFC members to chose their leaders and I am sure Mervin and I can find common ground here.
That is democracy and if it can be respected in the AFC, so too it must be respected in the PNCR and every institution whose members identify their leaders this way.
If Mervin has information about a Corbin and Jagdeo partnership or the PNCR having some shared governance deal with the PPP, he should come out and state what he knows, otherwise his ranting would be seen for what it is, public mischief.
The party will continue to expose these lies whenever they surface.
The PNCR will not be caught up in any unnecessary back and forth with AFC members or supporters to make it a contest between the two and take attention away from the PPP dastardly record. The people are already going through too much to engage in these petty politics.
The 2011 General Elections present the opportunity for the people to bring an end to the daily sufferings under a brutal and uncaring PPP Government who continue to run roughshod over them.
Those who want to divert attention from these daily horrors because of their self serving interests, the public will not let them get away with it.
They will be judged harshly for thinking they can use the voters for their selfish gains.
Voters are urged not to be distracted by inaccuracies and pettiness that have become the modus operandi of the self seekers, and those who want to use them to serve their interests and not serve them. You are the ones who have the power in your hands to stop the decline and PPP mismanagement. Make the change on Election Day.
B. Beniprashad Rayman

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