Dear Editor
AS we prepare to cast our votes on March 2, 2020 Guyanese would do well to remember the instructive saying that “with great power comes great responsibility.”

There is so much fake news, fake social media pages and a plethora of social media trolls trying to shape public opinion and influence the issues voters think about when considering which party to vote for.  We have seen the emergence of several new, largely inexperienced and hopeful parties using similar strategies of negative campaigning, fake news, pages and trolls all aimed at convincing Guyanese to vote for them.  While the Coalition Government seems to have attracted more Guyanese from all over the country and the most endorsements (from Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora and, notable personalities in the Caribbean and North America, even as far as Hollywood) of all contesting parties, the four most important societal benefits of a Coalition Government, Coalition politics and a return of an active local government, to me have been overlooked (deliberately or unintentionally) by many.  I put forward that these three benefits are:

1. Unlike the prior PPP-led Government, the Coalition Government has not victimized or attempted to suppress any of the new political parties.  The absence of political victimization and the fear of this type of vicitimisation have helped all new parties to flourish.  This atmosphere also has further enabled many Guyanese especially youth to get involved in politics to help move Guyana forward together.  I shudder to think about what would have happened to some of these parties and persons associated with them had they attempted to criticize the PPP-led Government, much less embarked on forming a political party.

2.  Coalition governance and politics have improved citizen focus on Government performance, responsiveness and accountability.  This is largely because the Coalition currently comprises six political parties that all accountable to their constituents and all of Guyana.  This forces the Coalition to consider diverse and multiple views and recommendations before Cabinet makes decisions, and to ensure development is evident in each region. The Coalition has even disciplined a few of its own representatives, retained know PPP members and supporters in key Government positions, a risk it deemed necessary to reinforce and foster a culture of professionalism (not favourtism) in delivery of public services to Guyanese.  During the entire 23 years of the PPP-led administration, public services deteriorated, hundreds of persons without the requisite experience and qualifications were placed in positions for political purposes.

3.  Real freedom of speech and association has returned to Guyana, after years of suppression orchestrated by the PPP-led administration. Whether on social media, print media or in public, persons have openly critiqued the Coalition without any concern of reprisal.

These developments are good for Guyana and a good sign that we are maturing politically.  We now need to ensure and demand all political parties safeguard this.

Regards
Andrew Small