These same individuals sat in the PNC-controlled Parliament up to 1992 and saw no need for reforms up to then. They never protested the way it was run. But the opposition party in those days - the PPP - sat it out even though it was rough.

Questions and motions were not allowed and were just ignored.

After 1992 there were decisive changes for the better and in fact the whole country returned to democratic ways.

A committee system was introduced that provided more involvement of members from both sides of the House. Questions and motions were dealt with.

Constitutional changes for improvement of Parliament were made for the betterment of the country, as the PNC’s constitution, which was forced down the throats of the people in a rigged Referendum was in need of reform which was left for the new Government to initiate and facilitate.

However, the present Opposition for reasons well known to all has done everything possible to disrupt these changes and are now engaged in an irrational boycott of Parliament, although they continue to collect their emoluments which they claim is necessary for them to do their constituency work which in all democratic societies is done voluntarily or at party expense.

One notable present member of the opposition and others are now claiming that they must now have offices with staff as obtains in certain rich countries although the former Opposition leader was not provided with an office despite the provision in the law.

You can take an accurate measure of those individuals who were members of the House in 1992 on the Government benches who found nothing to complain about then but who now complain about everything under this present Government although many things have considerably improved.

In addition to this it cannot escape attention that the Social Commentators and talk show hosts avoid like the Plague - the words - Responsible Opposition.

In analysing the present problems unnecessarily created by the Opposition they choose to avoid mentioning the obvious source of the country’s problems and that is the lack of a responsible opposition.

A democracy is made up of many factors besides free and fair elections with valid ballots - with one man, one vote and counting at the place of poll guaranteed by the United Nations in its Declaration of Human Rights.

Democracies also depend on stability and growth in several areas - the government or executive power, the legislature, the justice system, the media and of course the opposition party or parties. This exists in all democratic countries.

When the PPP was in opposition from 1964 to 1992 it entered in Dialogue with the PNC and even offered Critical Support to the then Government at particularly difficult times in our country to let the world know that they always put Guyana first, unlike the present opposition.

A poll would show that the vast majority of Guyanese including those who voted for the PNC are in favour of dialogue and the peaceful resolution of perceived difficulties.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may God grant consolation and solace to those who are grieving.