Vincent Alexander has it wrong on governance

Jan 01, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

I refer to a highly inaccurate and inflammatory letter by Vincent Alexander in the media under the title “Spouting the rule of law and good governance but observing them in the breach,” (12/30/2023). Anyone familiar with modern world history, and specifically with the history of fascism, will either squirm or laugh aloud at Mr. Alexander’s claims about the emergence of a “fascist state” in this country. The diplomatic community will no doubt feel a sense of informed discomfort because so many come from countries where their families and communities paid with their lives defending democracy against fascism.

Ironically, the claims in the letter under consideration have a lot in common with real fascism and right-wing populism, namely, a diabolical disregard for the whole truth, combined with a sinister industrialization of half-truths, innuendos, and emotional coercion.

Here is Vincent Alexander – “Our constitutional commissions and even other deliberative organs of the state are constituted in such a manner, and vested with such procedural autonomy that enables the ruling party to determine how, and what, decisions are made without reference or deference to the Rule of Law or the principles of Good Governance.” There is a lot of cloaking here, where nonsense is hidden behind constructs like “constitutional commissions,” “deliberative organs,” “Rule of Law,” and “principles of Good Governance.” What specifically does “…in such a manner…” mean here? What the heck is “…vested with such procedural autonomy”? State the “manner;” provide details about the “procedural autonomy.”

At best, Alexander’s letter is disingenuous. This is so because he is railing against the same Local Government Commission that the APNU-AFC fully accepted during their tenure 2015-2020 tenure. Further, Mr. Alexander has forgotten or is denial that the Local Government Commission Act of 2013 made it through the National Assembly when his APNU-AFC held a one seat majority. The design and competencies of Act No 18 of 2013 made it through the National Assembly during that APNU-AFC majority. Mr. Alexander’s party was happy with the passage of that Bill.

A highly placed source in the AFC confirmed with me earlier today that the APNU-AFC saw the Act No 18 of 2013 as a “conjoint” effort. Vincent Alexander, therefore, has it wrong.

Finally, Mr. Alexander treats contemporary historical memory with scorn. His palpitations about GECOM appointments come dangerously close to a form of political bullyism. This is because he has completely jettisoned from memory the extrajudicial October 19, 2017, unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chair of GECOM by President Granger. Even TIGI criticized the appointment.

Guyana today is governed on the bases of the nation’s Constitution. The National Assembly, the judicial system, security and law enforcement agencies, the banking system, and other institutions of transparent governance are all functioning well. The basic fact is that the right to free speech, freedom of worship, and the protection of life, property, and liberty, are intact. Mr. Alexander has made full use of that right, even though what he claims cannot be sustained by evidence.

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