A LESSON FOR GUYANA

Aug 17, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

The continued fallout from the Brexit vote should not be a surprise to anyone, but it should serve as a lesson not only for the European countries but also for Guyana and its CARICOM sister states.
In most democracies where there are two major parties, whenever citizens get the opportunity to vote on any issue, one party emerges victorious and celebrates while the loser licks its wounds and promises to do better.
In the case of Britain, with a more established democracy, the Brexit vote was the ideal situation whereby citizens did not embrace any particular political party’s view, but clung to what they collectively believed was the right thing to do. Although the referendum was called to determine Britain’s future in the European Union, it was not compulsory, but the British population no doubt was happy to have the opportunity to express their desire, and they did.
The leadership of the Conservative party was shockingly reminded of how democracy should work. Prime Minister Cameron was re-elected last year with a majority vote and had been expected to serve several more years, but the referendum result made his position untenable. He lost control of the debate on the EU and did the honourable thing by resigning. Not many politicians would have taken such action. He set the integrity bar very high.
At the time of the referendum, cost of living was on the increase and unemployment was high, but these problems were ignored, so it begs the question; whose interest was the Prime Minister and the leaders of the Conservative Party really serving? Surely not the masses.
Which reminds us of our leaders in Guyana. When in opposition, the APNU+AFC coalition promised to create tens of thousands of jobs in science, technology, engineering, mining, agro-processing and the arts, but more than one year after being elected to office, the waiting continues. It says that there is no possibility that it could simply start to employ young people. However, the cabinet should be reminded that it had provided huge salary increases for themselves and none for the average worker.
When one considers the present dire economic situation and the level of poverty in the country and then takes a good look at the items that are dominating the Parliamentary agenda, one would think that there are a couple hundred wealthy people living in Guyana.
Matters of interest to the ordinary citizen are not intensely debated in the National Assembly, and the vital needs of the poor and low income earners are not given top priority. If one should check the Hansard, he/she will see that there is not a single occasion where parliamentarians on both sides of aisle had put the needs of the poor and the lower income earners on the agenda of any session. It seems that it will take a tragedy for all parliamentarians to come together to assist the less fortunate in the country. It appears it is every man/woman for themselves in those hallowed halls.
It is a bit too early to start speculating about the future of the government, but there are signs that the economy is struggling, and little effort, if any is being made to create jobs for youths and those who want to work. The situation seems bleak, and a stunning development like the Brexit may be only the beginning. The nation should hope that it will not have a significant impact on Guyana’s trade relations with Britain or with the EU. We can ill-afford to stumble in that regard. The road is getting rockier and it will be good if our leaders pay keen attention to what is happening around them.

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