IN any national election campaign, contesting political parties, inclusive of the incumbent party in government, are obliged to present to the electorate just what they have to offer. For the sitting executive, it is a case of also illustrating what their stewardship has been. For any political Opposition that aspires to its country’s highest office, it has the task of convincing the body politic that it is a viable alternative to the incumbency. Primarily, this is about their intended policies: What can be expected of them if elected.

One of the realities of the local political opposition’s parliamentary performance, particularly with budget debates, is that many of their presentations lacked any reality, much less substance.
OBSERVER stands corrected when recalling the now memorable accusation by the late Sheila Holder of the Alliance For Change party (AFC), that Social Security Old Age Pensions list has been padded. It was shocking as it was scandalous, since there were no statistics to support such a canard.
But to put such a scenario in its correct context, it had been clearly a case of this Parliamentary Opposition party not having anything of substance to contribute to the 2011 budgetary debate, in similar manner as its senior partner, the then People’s National Congress(PNC). Their parliamentary views on the budget for that year were as sterile as they were nonsensical; hollow and without form, for want of a better description.
Essentially, it is going to be the same for this current national election campaign. As has already been the case, these two political Opposition parties have nothing to offer!
Just what did these pretenders tell the rally at Whim, on the Corentyne? As was to be expected, the Alliance’s leader, David Granger spoke at length on the need for better security for the entire Corentyne, and about the menace of piracy.
OBSERVER agrees that these are indeed very serious issues that have been plaguing this geographic area. But, Granger never did explain to the rally his reasons for not supporting virtually every government initiative to deal with the national crime situation. Not even the comprehensive reform of the security sector received his and fellow colleagues’ support. They vetoed every piece of parliamentary legislation, which fact is well known.
It was quite clear that Granger, a foremost and vehement critic of the government’s security policies as they relate to the local crime challenge, could not have been serious at any level when he assured Berbicians of being better protected under a government that he hopes to lead.
OBSERVER agrees that the Corentyne still remains a serious cause for concern as far as serious crimes are concerned. However, it is quite erroneous for him or anyone to make pronouncements to the effect that Government has not done anything to rein in the threat to the security of residents there.
All and sundry should be reminded of the many successes that Commander Brian Joseph and his men have had in dismantling a number of gangs, while arresting their notable criminal leaders. These positive developments have been evolving because of a determined strategy of the law enforcement fostering a better working relation with those communities and their residents that have paid very positive dividends.
Better can be done, as in such a technical situation of combatting crime; but it is a continuous development that will improve, given the determination of Commander Joseph and his squads.
So Brigadier, yuh aint seh anything new!