The VHP, once a beacon of honest governance, reform, and innovation, appears to have lost its moral compass entirely. Over the five years it held power, the party failed to prioritize the public interest, instead functioning as a network of influential figures, friends, families, and confidants who shielded one another from accountability. Since its electoral defeat on May 25, this image has only grown clearer. The VHP is no longer a national people’s party but a collection of individuals hiding under the same orange umbrella. Principles have been overshadowed by personalities, particularly those who thrive on applause and affirmation. While the party projects an image of internal harmony, a closer look reveals division, bruised egos, and a fear of challenging leadership. The cracks are now impossible to ignore. What stands out most is the party’s opportunistic opposition tactics since its defeat. Issues it could have resolved with its previous majority are now loudly condemned, while problems it once oversaw are disingenuously blamed on others. As society yearns for mature political self-reflection, the VHP prefers to plant political bombs—not to build, but to destroy. Chairman Chan Santokhi seems trapped in his own reality, dismissing the defeat with comforting falsehoods, as if the electorate misunderstood his achievements rather than the party itself. Outside the party’s walls, this belief has long evaporated. The lack of honesty was evident this week when spokesperson Dew Sharman questioned the integrity of Starnieuws, denying a report about the departure of senior board member Sidik Moertabat, who had confirmed his exit in an interview. Instead of acknowledging the facts, Sharman chose denial and discredited the media—a telling sign of the party’s character. This is not an isolated incident. Whenever internal issues arise, the VHP avoids political reality, addressing it opportunistically, as seen in its political appointments and dismissals of loyalists. This behavior reflects arrogance—a mix of power, self-deception, and fear of the truth. A party that claims to uphold values should know better. Democracy demands not compliance but courage—the courage to face the truth, even when it’s painful.