Dear Editor,
AS a young lad, I was brought up on a good diet of Caribbean clichés, which, to this day, I find intellectually stimulating.

In the very bone-breaking cold of winter, the warmth of these Caribbean clichés reminds me of whence I came and, to an extent, luminously guide my daily life and interactions. One of those clichés is, “Teeth and tongue will always clash.” This quote is so simple but yet so sophisticatedly erudite. I think today, it is relevant in this apparent difference of opinion between APNU and AFC. A difference of opinion, I say with zeal and incomparable confidence that I am not worried about.

Managing a coalition of parties is no easy task. Managing a coalition with five political parties is nigh impossible. The evidence can be easily found to support my postulation by undertaking a review of the Political Science literature. The cause for difference of opinion is multi-factorial. One of the main aetiology is that each member of the coalition will have their own opinion and election promises to their constituent. That is healthy; that should be encouraged; that should be valued. That should be respected. If ever there is a coalition of political parties, where there is never a demonstrable difference in opinions, where everything is mirth and hilariously rapturous, then that coalition is a dictatorship, which is incompatible with any democracy. Case in point, the PPP-C.

In the very expiratory breath, I must hasten to add, that as a people we must vigorously wash ourselves of that contagious disease, political insularity. We are not APNU; we are not AFC. We are APNU+AFC, the only true diverse political party in Guyana. The only party that is best suited, and this is no empty intoxicated boast of mine, to lead a multi-racial Guyana.

Difference in opinions we will have, but like brothers who disagree during the night, after a good nocturnal rest, the new day will birth a renewed passion of remaining inseparable brothers. They, with rested eyes and rested brains, will view yesterday’s disagreement as a minor sibling glitch; a storm in a teacup. This, I am sure, will be the story of AFC and APNU. The fact is that no matter how many times the teeth bite the tongue, they will stay together, forever in one mouth. Long live the APNU+AFC! Long live democracy in APNU+AFC! Long live democracy in Guyana!

Regards,
Dr. Mark Devonish, MBBS MSc Med