I had the privilege of being interviewed on the Spotlight TV programme on Channel 9 in the distinguished company of Henry Jeffrey and Tacuma Ogunseye, both knowledgeable and experienced observers of the political scene. We had all written recently on constitutional reform and the moderator, Dr Grantley Walrond, felt that it was a topic of great importance in which his viewers would be interested.
We had all agreed in principle in our writings that Guyana needs a constitutional system that would facilitate the two major political parties sharing the executive in coalition government as a permanent feature of our political life. We recognized, however, that the greatest danger in such a constitutional scheme would be the absence of an effective opposition. Dr Jeffrey and I had different approaches but I am open to other ideas as I am sure he is.
Two points of importance arose. Firstly it was agreed that possibilities in relation to oversight of a coalition government other than those discussed in my and Dr Jeffrey’s articles are potentially available from Guyana’s unique conditions, including our regional system, if it is duly empowered. Upon later reflection, it occurred to me that an elected upper