Guyana cannot revisit a chapter of its history defined by division, instability, economic decline

Dear Editor,
Guyana has travelled a long and difficult road to arrive at this moment of national progress. After decades marked by political instability, economic hardship, and democratic decline, the country has worked deliberately to rebuild its institutions, restore confidence in governance, and create opportunities for its people.
The painful experiences of the past, particularly during the era associated with People’s National Congress governance, remain etched in the national memory. The period spanning the 1960s through the 1980s was characterised by economic stagnation, institutional weakening, international isolation, and the erosion of democratic norms. Those were dark days for Guyana, and generations of Guyanese paid a heavy price.
Today, the PPP/C has Guyana moving forward in leaps and bounds. Democratic processes have been strengthened, the economy has expanded, international confidence has grown, and the country is increasingly viewed as a serious and credible partner on the global stage. This progress must not be taken for granted, nor should it be placed at risk by poor leadership choices.
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition is a constitutionally significant position that influences governance, oversight, and public confidence in Parliament.
Decisions surrounding this office send powerful signals about Guyana’s political maturity and commitment to democratic responsibility.
Any outcome that undermines public trust, weakens institutional credibility, or evokes the political culture of past authoritarianism threatens to reverse hard-won gains. Guyana cannot afford to revisit a chapter of its history defined by division, instability, and economic decline.
At this critical juncture, all Parliamentary actors, particularly Opposition Members, must act with a heightened sense of national responsibility. Leadership decisions must reflect Guyana’s forward momentum, not reopen the door to practices and outcomes the nation has consciously rejected.
Guyana’s future depends on protecting democratic institutions, preserving public trust, and ensuring that progress is sustained for generations to come.

A Concerned Citizen,
P Easton