Last evening, I listened carefully to the press statement delivered by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir. What should have been a measured and statesmanlike response instead descended into remarks that were not only unnecessary, but deeply disrespectful to members of the international diplomatic community—specifically the United States Ambassador and the Canadian High Commissioner.
Diplomatic representatives are not casual commentators. They are accredited envoys of sovereign states, engaging Guyana within the framework of international norms, democratic values, and mutual respect. When concerns are raised by such partners—particularly about the prolonged absence of a Leader of the Opposition—it is not interference; it is observation grounded in widely accepted democratic principles.
The Speaker’s response, as reflected in the statement now in the public domain, trivialised these concerns through sarcasm and deflection rather than addressing the substance of the issue. Instead of acknowledging that the absence of a constitutionally significant office weakens parliamentary oversight and democratic balance, the Speaker chose to lecture foreign diplomats about their own political systems. This posture does not strengthen Guyana’s sovereignty; it diminishes the seriousness with which our institutions are perceived.
More troubling is what this attitude signals domestically. When legitimate questions about democratic governance are met with hostility, ridicule, and institutional arrogance, it suggests a governing mindset increasingly intolerant of scrutiny. History teaches us that this is how democratic erosion begins—not with tanks in the streets, but with contempt for checks and balances, and the normalisation of executive dominance.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government cannot credibly claim democratic credentials while presiding over a National Assembly without a Leader of the Opposition, delaying Parliament, and centralising authority, all while dismissing concerns raised by both local stakeholders and international partners. Democracy is not defined by rhetoric; it is measured by conduct.
I hope the Guyanese people are taking careful note. The tone adopted by the Speaker is not an isolated incident—it reflects a broader attitude within the current administration toward accountability, dissent, and democratic norms. Silence and complacency in moments like these come at a cost.
Democracy in Guyana has been hard-won. It must not be casually undermined by those entrusted to protect it.
