Despite the severity of his recent prognosis, it was with great shock and deep sadness that I learnt of Winston Murray’s passing.

There can be no doubt that Winston was a distinguished son of Guyana. His outstanding record of service as a public officer, and as a politician both in Government and in Opposition, speaks for itself.

I have known Winston for many years, but my friendship with him is most deeply rooted in the time we spent together in Parliamentary service over the past four years.

Ours was a friendship that effortlessly transcended political differences and that originated in what I believe was strong mutual respect.

Our interactions, both in and out of Parliament, were marked by his demonstrated conviction that one could disagree diametrically on an issue but do so without the slightest hint of acrimony or bitterness and without causing any impairment to one’s friendship with the other. This distinguishing characteristic, and his evident intellectual nimbleness, earned him my abundant and lasting admiration.

Winston’s passing will exact a severe loss on the current Parliament and on the Guyanese political landscape more generally.

On this sad occasion, I extend sincerest condolences to his family and to the leader and members of his Party. His legacy of service will live on.