In Guyana, news of its massive oil revenue windfall is not found in its State news organ.
What’s broadcast, instead, is the Government’s intention to infuse “almost $29 billion of additional disposable income into the hands of Guyanese citizens”.
This is where the elected Opposition would come in, we’re thinking. After all, that’s why democracies have Oppositions- to keep citizens duly informed, as well as to check and balance rulers.
Instead, its most experienced arm has submitted its patented response that’s void of information but rife with criticism. Seconding substantial oversight to rhetorical posturing is hardly unexpected given who’s delivering this vituperation.
Yet, our hope is for some politician in the Coalition to do what is right and rise above the impediment of status quo. Delivering what constituents need is fulfillment of the contract of election.
With the Coalition’s collective expertise, we were thinking that they would have explained to voters how the ripples of the US/ Iran war impact oil production. Because bullets are flying in the Middle East, Guyana’s oil has skyrocketed from USD 370 to USD 623 million weekly. The people need to know.
And not for the cash grant grain- throwing that has become the bait of politicians. This has to be in the context of the country’s needs.
The homeless population in the nation’s capital and around the country is significant. Because most of national statistics are typically lagging indicators, we tend to add at least 30% to reported numbers to right-size what’s reported. This stale-dated report by Stat Base, which aggregates and reports to the World Bank, authenticates the dragging reporting pattern of Guyana’s economic data.
With Politicians sharing these details with constituents, the benefits would be a two-way street. Granular explanations foster trust, accountability and the representation voters need.
And it doesn’t stop there. Exxon, in the interest of protecting its profits, is pumping more from Guyana’s Stabroek block to shore up its profitability. This is vital information for the voter and the nation, on the whole.
One, they need to know that their patrimony is being used at a faster clip. Two, they need to know if this emergency pumping was part of the contract the Government signed on their behalf. Three, they need to know what compensation they receive for excess pumping that Exxon is using to offset Exxon’s loss.
And, here’s more.
Guyana is paying Exxon’s corporate income tax from its 12.5% oil profit share, reducing Guyana’s revenue, especially as Exxon cites faster cost recovery. The Opposition needs to inform voters that faster recovery risks environmental harm. They need to know, too, that the Exxon agreement totals USD 600 million, regardless of extent of damage.
This is not extraneous duty. This is their due diligence. The Opposition is responsible for ensuring fair compensation, safeguarding national heritage and, disclosing critical information that the ruling party may otherwise withhold. It is the Opposition’s duty, also, to advocate for restitution, protect the nation’s assets, and provide the transparency that the leading party often ‘forgets’ to disclose.
Thing is though, you can’t, now, condemn cash grants when you mounted a campaign for cash grants post your election flogging, Coalition. This only proves that constituents are being treated as a disorganized afterthought.
As for the Leader, he continues to incinerate the ashes his savaging at the 2025 polls left as a Party- is our opinion.
A couple of things about him asserting the position of spokesperson for the Party that is hoping for electorate redemption. A failed politician is more than just an inviable electoral loser. He’s a reputational anchor that dings the brand every time he claims representative status. In other words, he’s an uber liability to any rebooting the Party may be attempting.
And all this comes back to the Coalition, which still has the benefit of greater practice and expertise in the Opposition. It can leverage this to elevate its stature within the ranks of that body.
But, our sense is that there’s reticence to assert the front office posture it should adopt.
Not sure if they feel the sum total of the frustration many of their supporters express on social media. Not sure, either, if they realize that the gap between expectation and political action can feel immense.
Either way, if they want to assert their expertise, they have to take bold action. They have to establish that they are not their leader’s quality. They have to present a new operational plan that transcends Party appeal.
Rehabilitation demands a clean break, severing ties with what has become toxic legacy. Showing that distance by overwriting the messaging from the leader who wouldn’t leave is what has to be done. Front office actions have to be intentional and restorative. Messaging is just noise if it prioritizes visibility over relevance and aggressive commentary over substance.
Operational competence, please.
Ditch the club affect and the medal gifting to the longstanding and deference to title. It’s the character behind title that makes the title that. You have to establish a new identity – and fast. You have to find a new way to communicate- and quick.
If the Party is going to show that its decimation at the polls does not mean it has lost its experience and expertise, it has to use that combination to erase the looming presence of its loser-leader by changing the tone of its messaging. Being conciliatory and advisory is a strategic medium. Shifting from aggressive contender to active facilitator could navigate around the conflict that is inherent with interaction.
Take the pointing finger down and adopt more conciliatory language. Your position in the Opposition demands that you work with the other Parties on your side of the aisle if you are to even look salvageable, let alone be candidate for restoration to leadership. You have to revise your formula for communication. This would demand a re-calibration of tone and blame assignment within your body.
And expecting your suggestions to be implemented because they came from you is the hallmark of effrontery. Confusing influence with authority is a byproduct of a culture of being uncompromising. Buy -in and relationship- building is the ground floor of coalition communication.
And all this leads back to the looming presence of the loser leader who refuses to leave.
Forego the legacy of ego. Stop trying to be more right than successful. Your influence has to be earned rather than imposed.
But why are we asking all this when the ‘Front Office’ doesn’t assert its collective power? Why aren’t we asking instead why are they cowed by his control of the MP selection power?
He has been effectively rejected by 83% of the electorate. Do you think he can fire all of you because he controls the levers and still survive, socially?
If you, as the newly demoted junior Opposition, show signs of fear to fight a warranted battle, how do you hope to fight your way back to prominence in an electorate that rejected you so overwhelmingly…plausibly because you fight more for yourself than for them…given the Parliamentary walk -outs under the loser leader?
Jus’ axin’.
