AS emphasized in these pages, hypocrisy is a well known characteristic of many politicians, particularly inherent in the persona of those who are self-centred, and not interested in the welfare of those whose interests they pretend to serve. This deceitful attribute has been, a marked feature of the parliamentary opposition political culture in this the Tenth Parliament.

The most prominent manifestation of this culture has been in the case of Moses Nagamootoo, formerly of the PPP/C, but now a member of the Alliance For Change(AFC). During his lengthy sojourn on the benches on the government side of the House, this former Cabinet Minister voted along with his then colleagues on every single government policy. Even when he ceased to be a Cabinet functionary, he continued in full support of all State measures. But lo and behold, now that he has departed, he has been bitterly criticizing those very policies that he once supported. Even alleging corruption.
As everyone knows, corruption is a social malaise that does not occur overnight. Then there is the glaring case of him being retained for his legal services by NICIL, but heaped vitriol on this institution, alleging corruption. Another instance of his doublespeak was his former support of the President’s Pensions Bill, only to spew vehement condemnation of “excesses” now that he is on the opposition side of the House. He even denied supporting such a measure, until the Honourable Attorney General reminded him.
Now he is joined by another, Sydney Allicock of A Party For National Unity(APNU), who in a shocking statement made during the Budget 2013 debate, described  Rupununi as a “most backward place in the Caribbean”. His presentation was so filled with lies and distortions, that it is not worth repeating in this article. But it explains why, among other things, he has become a member of the opposition – birds of a feather flock together!
It is certain that Guyanese in general have been following the many Hinterland Development Programmes  in progress, that have been transforming the lives of Amerindians and their communities. In fact, one of these programmes, the flagship Hinterland Scholarship initiative, has been responsible for preparing scores of hinterland citizens for the various professions in which they are now found. Even Allicock’s many opposition colleagues have lauded not only this significant success in Amerindian individual development, but also the qualitative changes that are marked features of daily Amerindian life. For him to have said that the administration does lack  “a comprehensive plan”, has to be the most pernicious lie ever uttered thus far in the august assembly of the House, apart from being very disrespectful of  thousands of his kinsmen, whose well-being has been greatly advanced with the compliments of an administration that has kept its promises of socio-economic development of Amerindians and their communities.
He must be reminded of the Hinterland Electrification programme that has distributed over 11,000 solar panels for hinterland communities’ electrification; of the construction of the new Lethem Hospital – one of many newly constructed health facilities in Amerindian communities,  where only recently his fellow  opposition colleague, Mr. Nigel Hughes had been competently treated; of the GWI Hinterland  Water programme that has now brought modern water facilities for potable water in many communities, and the list can go on.
But, like Moses, Sydney is now singing from the same opposition political hymnal, simply because he is on its bench. He has to be suffering from a severe bout of amnesia, to be mouthing such extraordinary distortions, or living in another dimension, not to be aware of the monumental changes cum improvements that have been the Hinterland experience, especially from the beginning of this new millennium.
Such is the nature of political hypocrisy, as again, exuded by Sydney Allicock. Welcome to the opposition fold!