People expect their leaders to show them love and respect

Sep 02, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
As I understand it, an opposition force is of vital importance, a main component in any genuine democracy, which would be poorer in the absence of one. This is what every Guyanese admirer of the USA believes in, craves for and would like to have here at home continuously. An opposition as I know it is like a watchdog which keeps the government on its P’s and Q’s, ensuring that things/business are done in the proper manner – legally, constitutionally, above board, transparently, etc., as they are paid as opposition to do on behalf of the people and just who voted for them.
Thus they are expected to be perpetually alert and aware following and objectively analysing the government’s handling of the people’s/country’s affairs, seeing to it not only what must be done but also what is not being done as is their responsibility and duty. As have been observed over time, many of our oppositions are often in recess, dormant and only come alive when elections are around the bend. Then they become agitated and fever pitch, ready to address and bring to the fore those many age-old problems/issues the people have been complaining about.
Editor, we have a sound recorded history of ruling parties after losing the seat of government, disappearing in thin air, hardly a former minister, representative, activist – both at local and national levels – to be seen, don’t even pay a visit to update members/supporters on the way forward or familiarise themselves on what’s taking place within the scheme of things. Certainly this is one sure way of a party losing support. Make no mistake about it; people, no matter their episodic peculiar behaviour always appreciate being thought about, being paid attention to, being taken care, being represented. From such actions spring a sense of belonging and maybe not in a big way, but at least a modicum of assurance that our party is active and is looking out for us.
Revolutionary leaders need to keep in mind that when a movement fails, it is the leaders who fail and not the people. This came back to me some days ago, whilst having a discussion with a known PPP activist in reply to my question; “what happen, alyuh office shut down, ya’ll don’t have meeting no moe?”, He went on: “meetings yuh ain’t see wha going on, party done, dem who deh put in position, whey dehdeh?”
And this is my point; the top echelons in the movement need to work to keep it afloat as the hierarchy within the party – except they are hanging up their gloves – have a mandate, to do more so now than ever, being the opposition, to see to it that they remain grounded with an eye to the future. And this is the way of an opposition force, if it must be considered a force.
Opposition parties cannot behave like fair weather friends, they have to be on board with the people through thick and thin; smooth and rough sailings, no matter how broken hearted they be, “bird can’t vex with tree”. The ordinary everyday people – fickle minded as they are, have a peculiar way of observing and style of judging, and are not that always simple as some overzealous ambitious politicians feel.
Though they are often taken for a ride, they know how to trick you with a “smile”. That chant that the WPA was noted for in their heyday remains as relevant as ever today; forever ever green: “See with the eyes of the people, hear with the ears of the people, speak with the voice of the people.”
Frank Fyffe

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