By: Antonio Dey.
In Guyana’s 65-seat National Assembly, the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) holds 36 seats, a razor-thin but decisive majority. That single seat above the threshold is enough to pass budgets and legislation, but it should not silence the voices of the 29 opposition members elected to represent nearly half of the electorate.
The government, secure in its numbers, often acts as though parliamentary oversight is little more than noise. Yet history reminds us that unchecked majorities can breed arrogance. Around the world, from Trinidad and Tobago to the United Kingdom, strong opposition blocs have proven vital in forcing governments to explain policies, refine laws, and abandon harmful proposals.
Accountability is Not Antagonism
The opposition’s constitutional role is not merely obstruction. Yes, it must challenge the government, but it must also champion ideas that benefit citizens, regardless of who authors them. Too often in Guyanese politics, good proposals are dismissed simply because they come from “the other side.” This reflexive rejection serves no one but partisan interests.
Political philosopher Sigmund Freud once described the “super-ego” as the moral conscience that guides human action. In Parliament, that conscience should guide parties beyond their own egos. A responsible opposition must rise above the temptation to oppose for opposition’s sake.
Why Unity Matters Now?
The 13th Parliament will soon resume, with the opposition divided among We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) with 16 seats, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with 12, and Forward Guyana (FGM) with 1. Separately, they are voices in the wilderness. Together, they can be a formidable counterweight.
Guyana’s democratic system is adversarial by design, but an opposition that cannot organize itself effectively risks irrelevance. Without coordination, the government faces little pressure to justify decisions on matters ranging from oil revenue spending to constitutional reform.
A united opposition could demand transparency on how the nation’s rapidly growing petroleum wealth is managed, ensuring that future generations benefit instead of watching billions slip away. They could also force stronger debate on bread-and-butter issues such as food prices, wages, and healthcare, which affect citizens more directly than the high-level back-and-forth often dominating parliamentary sessions.
A Lesson for the Next Generation
The adversarial shouting matches that have become routine in Parliament are not lost on Guyana’s youth. Students who watch live broadcasts or see clips online are observing how leaders communicate. Do they see thoughtful debate or petty squabbling? Respectful disagreement or performative anger?
Our leaders are modeling political culture for the next generation. If the opposition and government cannot find ways to debate with dignity, they risk teaching tomorrow’s leaders that politics is about noise, not solutions.
A Call for Political Maturity
It is time for the opposition to recognize its collective mandate and for the government to recognize that a majority does not equal a monopoly on wisdom. Guyana is entering a period of unprecedented transformation, fueled by oil revenues and heightened geopolitical attention. Mistakes made now will echo for decades.
Citizens deserve a Parliament that functions not as a stage for partisan theatrics but as an engine for accountability. That requires both courage and compromise.
The opposition has a choice: remain fragmented and risk irrelevance, or unite and ensure that the government’s “proverbial feet” truly feel the fire.
