THE advent of a new parliamentary experience in Guyana that heralded a minority government has begun to witness the expected strategy of compromise and consensual politics so essential and necessary for results in these untoward circumstances. What a pity that such a pathway had not been employed from the onset of this 10th Parliament. But, it has finally commenced, and not a day too soon; and what great results, all for the benefit of the nation. For all those doomsayers, particularly the category that wished failure and anarchy, the recent House results, accruing from extra-parliamentary discussions between an APNU team, led by its leader, David Granger, and a  President Donald Ramotar government delegation, have proved that this nation has intelligent and  responsible leaders, who are indeed  patriots, because they are prepared to put their country first.
It was never doubted that this category exists, and would rise to the nation’s most challenging hour and do what is right for the advancement of its peoples. And there are some comforting revelations from which the nation can feel proud and be very hopeful for the period ahead. First, President Donald Ramotar has proven beyond doubt that he can be trusted, a man to his word, with whom business can be done. Also, he has debunked his sniggering critics, who questioned his leadership potential. He has also shown his consistency in advocating the consensus methodology as a means of solutions for challenges that will arise.
Second, Opposition leader David Granger has plainly displayed a great sense of responsibility in understanding the reality of where the nation stood at a most critical hour, and what has to be done for its best interests. He refused to be led along the mad caper by the AFC.
The decision he took with regard to the eventual increase to the Linden electricity tariff, definitely a complex, tough and unpopular one, taking into consideration the significance of the party’s support base in the mining town, proves that he is prepared to make the hard decisions in the best interests of Guyana.
It was only fair that electricity rates in the bauxite town be aligned with those of the general nation. He will be heavily criticised for such an agreement, since already he has been accused of “selling out.” But such is the price of political leadership, as it relates to decision–making at critical moments of a nation’s history. Posterity will record that both APNU and the PPP/C government delivered at Guyana’s critical hour.
Third, the jolting lesson for Khemraj Ramjattan is that his idea of witch-hunting has been rejected by APNU. The message is clear: It will not yield any dividends in a situation where dialogue suffices with consequentially good results. Sure, it has to give every Guyanese a sense of achievement that consensual politics, in just a matter of days, has resulted in many parts of the 2012 budget already being approved.