CAN a leopard change its spots? Absolutely no! And what better example is offered than the current parliamentary duo of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). It must be reminded again that their understanding of a single-seat majority in the current 10th Parliament means bullyism and diktat.

And since all the instances of their undemocratic parliamentary behaviour are well known, it needs not be repeated here. The reason is not difficult to fathom: it is the only type of politics they know.
There was another such unexpected display, when in utter disgust the PPP/C walked out of Parliament, rather than submit themselves to another act of unconscionable behaviour.
Rather than accept the government’s side repeated requests for a postponement of the then debate on the Heritage Commission Bill, so as to have a national input, the Opposition in their quite usual undemocratic fashion, not only ignored the government’s request, literally hurried the bill through its stages.
Of course, the government’s MPs supported the Bill, but they were seeking a broader consensus, as ought to be in such instances.
This is another example of the Parliamentary Opposition’s use of their responsible position in the House – power play!  What a sad period for democratic politics in this nation!
Even though it is a tradition for politics to be adversarial, the interest of the nation must be paramount, and not be sacrificed upon the altar of “we gat de power” brand of politics, as is the present state of affairs. Everyday, the nation is beholding the opposition for what it really is – power seeking and dictatorial.
This is yet another opportunity lost by the opposition for a consensual approach to national issues.