No… writing, please

For years, constitutional reform was demanded by the Opposition and Government critics as the cure for our political ailments. Too much presidential power? Reform the Constitution. Ethnic insecurity? Reform the Constitution. Parliament’s moribund? Reform the Constitution!! Then the Constitution Reform Commission went and made an astonishing provocation – it invited folks to say exactly what they wanted changed, in writing!!
But astonishingly, according to AG Nandlall last week, the political parties haven’t submitted a single proposal – with John/Joan public clocking in some 20 submissions. After all the speeches, interviews, and declarations of constitutional urgency, the suggestion box is experiencing a remarkably peaceful existence!! Seems we want a new constitutional order – but somebody else has gotta do the typing!!
But you’ve gotta sympathise with the Opposition’s predicament… Demanding reform is easy – just look at the Government: insist its powers are excessive, invoke democracy, and await applause!! Producing a proposal, however, introduces unpleasant complications – what exactly should change? What replaces it? Would you wanna comply if your own party wins office?
Steady, budday!! Nobody said there’d be homework!! A written proposal is particularly dangerous because it can be retrieved later, while a stirring speech disappears into the air!! Better to keep reform at a respectable distance – close enough for a press conference but far enough to avoid a clause!! To be fair, the deadline’s December 31, so there’s still time to submit serious recommendations while the Christmas Black Cake sets!!
But parties that have spent years trumpeting the Constitution’s “defects” should presumably possess something more advanced than a blank page and a strong feeling!! Are the proposals gathering dust at party headquarters? Where are the carefully considered alternatives that were supposedly waiting only for an opportunity to be heard? Surely somebody could retrieve a manifesto, locate the constitutional reform section and expand it beyond “we shall undertake constitutional reform”.
Your Eyewitness has a suggestion – not every submission must arrive dressed as legislation. Start with a problem – let’s say GECPM’s representation – and explain your proposed remedy!! You have problems with the process? – Submit those objections too!! The Opposition’s got a particular obligation to explain how it would restrain powers it condemns so heatedly! If they don’t, citizens might begin to suspect that the objections concern the current occupants of the offices more than the powers attached to them!! And they really want to enjoy the powers they presently condemn!!
December is approaching, and there’s gonna be more distraction that’s drowning the black cake with rum – now’s the time to turn the speeches into (written) suggestions!! Until then, our most comprehensive constitutional proposal gonna be an amendment to the old-school excuse:
“Sir, the dog ate our democracy”!!

…backing away
Your Eyewitness hopes the PNC accepts Jagdeo’s outstretched hand – since our political problem is greater than personal animosity!! Across seven decades, political allegiance became entwined with ethnic security – who controls the state, whose community gets opportunities, and who’s excluded after elections!!
We can’t keep on screaming “outside intervention” screwed us – local leaders have gotta accept responsibility for perpetuating the divisions. For sure, cooperation’s gonna carry a danger for Opposition leaders, as supporters may interpret cooperation as surrender. Like Corbin had been accused!! Then there’s the personal interest since Jagdeo’s warning about “extinction” suggests voters might be moving beyond their inherited loyalties!!
There’s already a practical precedent of the October 2025 regional council elections where the PPP and APNU cooperated over leadership positions – including PPP support for a PNC chairperson in Region Eight!! This shows that selective bargains are possible when interests align!!
Then there’s the oil revenues that can address longstanding grievances – without making every benefit to one community appear a loss to another!!
Win-Win!!

…long delays
Sanction Man’s ploy to provoke serious charges to delay his extradition has been stymied now that the DPP recommended charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Summary judgements!!