Government Must Offer More Reasoned Arguments

In response to critiques from the public, I am disappointed to hear poor, infantile reasoning emanating from various Cabinet members.

The Jamaicans for Civil Society Coalition pointed out that MP Shahine Robinson comes with the baggage of her very public dual citizenship trial as well as a massive lawsuit pending. They are concerned about her inclusion in Holness Cabinet. Robinson contends that first matter has been addressed in court, and the second is pending: she believes she can proceed unencumbered. She goes further to express surprise that civil society ‘objects to inclusion of a woman’ in the Cabinet. She claims they had been agitating all along for more women to be involved at that level. Ms. Robinson appears to deliberately muddle the valid legal concerns with a base sexist appeal.

JTA’s objection to the PM’s decision to keep hands-on responsibility for Education is rebuffed by the Minister of Information. The Minister pointed out that Seaga held Finance responsibility throughout his tenure as PM; Manley held Agriculture responsibility for a year. No reasonable argument is advanced to satisfy concerns of the JTA – no explanation of the logic of this decision or what strategy the new PM will employ to keep all the balls in the air.

The Opposition expresses concern about what it sees as ‘waste’ and a ‘self-promoting exercise’ in the Ministry of Tourism’s decision to take out full page advertisements to highlight Jamaica’s recognition at World Travel Awards. The Minister of Tourism fires back that Opposition being ‘mean-spirited’ and hopes for a more cooperative atmosphere in the future. There is no actual explanation of the reasoning for the large ad expenditure, what it was meant to achieve strategically, and whether it did so.

Like it or not, these are among the people charged to lead Jamaica. PM Holness must push his team members to present well reasoned defenses of their actions or positions. Too many weak arguments of misdirection continue to be presented in response to valid public concerns. This needs to change.

PM and Party Leader Roles Not the Same

Our Prime Minister is not directly elected by the people. Constitutionally, the Members of Parliament, as our representatives, pick one of their number to lead the management of our national affairs.

They tell the Governor General who the choice is, and she/he becomes PM. Time is now going to be wasted as Jamaica waits for a JLP party conference to first designate a Party Leader, who will then be de facto PM. That is certainly backwards and unconstitutional!

The current PM is toying with the Constitution by effectively allowing his party’s delegates to pick Jamaica’s new leader. This is a travesty. If the JLP decides to select the new PM (per Parliament’s choice) as leader in their party private activities, that is their business. But we shouldn’t all be held hostage by the JLP’s delegates.

Regarding Mr. Holness, there hasn’t been an investigative assessment in the press of his tenure as Minister of Education. From all indications, much has happened under his watch, and it would be good to learn more about his achievements and challenges there.

Similarly, there has not been much analysis of his work as Member of Parliament for West Central St. Andrew. TVJ and CVM-TV both visited his constituency for feedback from citizens. I do not want to base my assessment of his performance as MP on their reports, but I was dismayed at what I saw on screen.

Per our parliamentary system, Mr. Holness as PM will have virtually unlimited power in Jamaica. Even though he won’t really need to, I would hope to see some evidence that he can temper his approach and work with opposing MPs on national issues. Again, such evidence has not been presented, to my knowledge.

What will Mr. Holness do when faced with roadblocks to his agenda put up by members of his own party? It would be encouraging to hear about instances of fortitude when he has had faced down Members who were determined not to move his way.

At this time, Parliament’s House of Representives (the rightful body) must get together immediately to select a Prime Minister. That person goes to knock on the GG’s door, presents himself for swearing in and, baps, wi done.

Jamaica’s priority is on stability in Jamaica House, not on what happens on Belmont Road. For God’s sake, for Jamaica’s sake, pick a PM and get on with it. It ought to be a very simple process.

That’s the law.

Cronyism in Election Vehicle Policy

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am outraged by the article titled ‘New policy for election vehicle imports’ in The Sunday Gleaner (October 9, Page A11).

Per the article, some time ago, the two major political parties granted themselves the privilege of importing vehicles at a much lower rate than offered to private citizens or businesses. Further, the privilege only applies to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP), as the policy doesn’t cover ‘minor’ parties.

To a private citizen, this whole thing stinks of cronyism.

Why should these private political groups be treated differently from me, a citizen? The JLP and PNP should be using their private, donated funds to purchase the equipment they need for campaigning. They should pay the standard rates and duties to import their items.

This policy further highlights the almost criminal blurring of the lines between Government and party in Jamaica.

This policy should be discontinued immediately. One rule for everyone – cut out all these unfair and corrupt concessions and loopholes.

Marlon Johnson

mhj_007@hotmail.com