A lifetime of political service, fierce parliamentary debate and an enduring call for national reconciliation formed the legacy of former Deputy Prime Minister Robert HO Corbin, CCH, LLB, LEC, whom President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali remembered as a seasoned parliamentarian whose vision for a united Guyana remains unfinished.
In a heartfelt tribute at Corbin’s funeral at St Andrew’s Kirk Anglican Church on Thursday, the head of state extended condolences to his family, friends and political colleagues, reflecting on a man with whom he shared the National Assembly and whose determination to defend his convictions left a mark on Guyana’s parliamentary history.
He was a former leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) and former Leader of the Opposition.
“The aspirations he championed remain unfinished business,” the president said, urging Guyanese to look beyond political differences and work collectively towards a future defined by greater unity, mutual respect and shared national purpose.
Corbin served in the National Assembly for nearly 35 years, navigating successive periods of political and economic change.
His extensive experience, sharpened by legal studies, made him one of his generation’s most seasoned parliamentarians, respected for his grasp of parliamentary procedure and his ability to construct and defend an argument.
“He was capable of presenting an argument with persistence, challenging the government and insisting that matters he considered important should receive the attention of the house,” President Ali said.
Despite their political differences, the president noted that Corbin’s conduct outside the chamber reflected a capacity to maintain personal respect amid fierce parliamentary rivalry.
He said the deceased’s appeal for shared governance and a society in which all citizens could contribute to national development remains a significant part of his legacy.
“We have arrived at a defining moment in our history, a moment when our collective effort can give shape to a national vision that finally fulfils the dream of 1950.”
President Ali expressed the hope that Guyana would continue pursuing the national harmony and shared destiny to which Corbin had so often given expression.
DPI
