THE several motions originating from the benches of the Parliamentary Opposition,

in this the Tenth Parliament, raises the clear question of democracy, and the extant threat that definitely confronts this indispensable ingredient  of participatory governance. How else must one interpret ALL  these  motions, unnecessary, reckless, and also  clearly designed to throttle the nation’s efforts at socio-economic progress? Immediately undemocratic!
One must begin to examine these anti-national acts, properly against the background, for example,  of  the no-confidence   motion  brought  against the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, that resulted in a gag on the latter speaking in the House.
It needs not be reminded, that the National Assembly, embodies the true will and expression  of the people, on whose behalf, their elected   representatives  speak. This was the  first right which the Opposition  unlawfully attempted to remove.
Further, since  the Assembly  is the forum of the People, then it means that any attack on those who sit within its august halls, is an attack on all  the  time-honoured traditions which it represents. This is an uncontested fact; and, the  second right, which  APNU  sought to infringe.
Therefore, it goes to reason that any attack on any Parliamentary representative, such as that on the   Home Affairs Minister’s  right to speak within  the National Assembly, is an attack on the People, hence an attack on democracy. This is the third right on  which  the Opposition attempted to trample.
How can these two opposition parties berate the PPP/C government for lack of accountability, when by their very own  undemocratic process of  preventing  an elected member from executing the State’s business, are very much guilty of inhibiting such a process? This is indeed one of the greatest contradictions of the present  face of Opposition  politics.
But those who would have lived through those dark days  of PNC  government, ought not to be surprised. For this was the specific manner of behaviour, during their dark regime rule – Parliamentary democracy  was silenced.
What an opportunity  being  missed on, especially the part of APNU, really the PNC, to make amends for those painful  years of its undemocratic policies.
How can they trumpet about democracy and its principles, while  at the same  time  still seeking to destroy same?