By Roysdale Forde S.C, M.P- The weekly public sprays, disguised as press conferences, held by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo have become a sorry and worrying spectacle- less of a forum for transparent communication with the public and more of an arena for ill- tempered tirades. It is not just the manner in which he addresses questions that is troubling, but the tone, the dismissive attitudes, and the outright hostility towards critical voices. What could be a potential space for dialogue and reflection has been reshaped into a politically charged, abusive circus that only serves to alienate and demean. The Vice President continues to hold this weekly circus because he is accountable to no one; he gets away with this unethical behaviour.
Frankly, the Vice President’s intemperate performances at these press conferences are increasingly marked by a sense of arrogance and disdain for the people he represents. Rather than providing thoughtful responses to important issues, Jagdeo often resorts to caustic remarks and condescending dismissals. He is not simply not answering questions; he is literally belittling the very notion of accountability. Worse, these outbursts are being normalised, with no sincere or real outcry from certain political leaders, the private sector commission, or the so-called “guardians of democracy”, signaling an ominous acceptance of this behaviour as the new standard in political communication, in this country.
This deterioration of disrespectful discourse goes beyond Jagdeo himself- it has set a precedent that is trickling down to other public figures and the broader political environment. A particularly concerning manifestation of this is the increasingly vitriolic rhetoric being spewed on social media by individuals like Guyanese Critic. Jagdeo’s combative attitude seems to have endorsed the abuse of public platforms for the spreading of venomous remarks, where personal insults and damaging narratives are passed off as political discourse.
Take for instance, the troubling comments directed at a Guyanese citizen, who Jagdeo labeled as a “wanna- be- gangster”, a powerful and worrisome reflection of how deep-seated political interests can ride roughshod over truth, kindness, justice, and integrity. The harsh words seem to be more about silencing opposing voices through scorn and division than fostering any kind of constructive political engagement. The fact that Jagdeo, a senior government figure, participates in this sort of dialogue only reinforces the idea that such behaviour is acceptable. This sets a dangerous precedent for the behaviour of others, particularly when public figures who should be paragons of respectful discourse instead model disrespect and personal attack.
Let us be clear, the Vice President’s words were not just an offhand remark but a conscious decision to use a derogatory label to discredit a political opponent. In doing so, Jagdeo undermines the seriousness of the issues at hand and distracts from the very real challenges that Guyanese citizens are grappling with daily.
Jagdeo’s weekly press conferences serve as a disturbing symbol: it is as though aggressive, often abusive rhetoric has become an acceptable norm in political exchanges. This presents a negative political culture where the truth becomes secondary to partisanship, kindness to cruelty, and integrity to manipulation. The question that we must ask is: What happens when the very leaders tasked with guiding the country set the example for poor communication? Answer: We risk further deepening divides and creating an environment where any form of disagreement or dissent is met with personal attacks and animosity rather than dialogue and mutual respect.
This culture of verbal abuse and inflammatory rhetoric must be challenged- both from within the political sphere and among the citizens themselves. I believe that, the Vice President, as a leader, has an obligation to demonstrate decorum, to uphold and represent the values of dignity and respect in all his dealings. Rather than using his platform to lash out at critics, he should take the opportunity to show and encourage constructive political engagement. Leaders, especially political leaders, should strive for integrity, truth, and understanding; not indulge in destructive power plays that serve only to degrade their office and the political environment as a whole.
If this is the new olağan, then it is time to ask: What kind of political future are we building for Guyana? Surely, it cannot be one that tolerates verbal abuse, toxic rhetoric, or the undermining of basic decency. I urge citizens to demand a higher standard from those who hold power- not just in their policies, but in how they communicate with the people they serve. The current state of affairs is wholly unacceptable. Let us hope it is not allowed to define our political culture for much longer.