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Parliamentary resignations
Sometimes, all good sense and circumstances on the ground point to what is the right thing to do. There is right and unacceptable. There is nothing in between, only a gray universe of clutching for comforting straws that are simply not there. When all arguments and rationales have been finalized and tendered, this thorny, controversial matter of dual citizenship rises to that level: right or unacceptable, with nothing in between.
With due regard and courtesies extended to all positions to the contrary – some not without merit or appeal – the only thing to do is to relinquish something, if and when the hard decision relative to dual citizenship confronts. It is a choice: one or the other. For too long in this society, and with studied casualness, there has been no “or;” only the imposition on a sleeping society of a presence that is best characterized by the “and”, as in having things both ways.
Admittedly, it is not an easy decision for some. Ms. Gail Teixeira and Mr. Adrian Anamayah, Members of Parliament for the opposition PPP, made it look easy; it could not have been. There could be a host of reasons and issues, many justified, that influence a decision one way or another. To represent one’s country in its highest legislative forum has to number among the pinnacle of achievements that bring pride. It is a signal honour and one to be held dear. Most would have tremendous difficulty stepping down voluntarily from such a high visibility and highly sought-after place.
That Mr. Anamayah and Ms. Teixeira did so, clearly demonstrates a lot of thinking went into their individual circumstances as to the pros and cons, and which compelled to the place where they ended. This is reflective of class, decisiveness, and individuality. They have set examples of what ought to be done, one way or another.
Not to be forgotten and ignored are those personal situations that may be problematic for some Guyanese to continue to give to the land of their birth. Those personal situations can be severely pinching and more. As examples, there has to be thinking about taxes, about quality healthcare for self and family members, and long-range plans. Those individuals who give up parliament here may decide that they can serve party, while affording themselves the fallback option of overseas residence, should circumstances so demand. After all, governments change, leadership fancies undergo adjustments, and the political climate could get unwelcoming in a hurry.
On the government side, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine took the bit in the teeth and did the right thing, too. It does not matter that his choice appears to have been long predetermined. It is done. Three other government ministers – Mr. Carl Greenidge, Mr. Dominic Gaskin and Mr. Joseph Harmon – have also made their decisions and resigned from parliament. This is good and the way it should be. Like their counterparts in the opposition, this could not have been an overnight decision, and one that must be heralded by Guyanese from all walks in the political arena. For better or worse, some of the politically visible have shown that, when pushed, they could stand for something, however unpalatable that may be.
On the other hand, the word circulating from knowledgeable corners is that the same cannot be said for others in the political folds. This would be those individuals, who have decided to play things cute, and are lying low in the hope that the scrutiny and storms will blow over and leave them undetected. That is a shallow hope. But it is more than that: such evasions and clearly shameless deceptions are wrong in law and wrong in spirit. None should be allowed to get away with such cheap subterfuges.
This can only be interpreted as playing for time, and playing the field in some pathetic belief that they will get by. Nothing of the sort should be condoned, but exposed and harshly condemned.
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