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Good for you, Mr Gray, Mrs Simpson Miller
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Two developments towards the weekend gave us cause to breathe a sigh of relief with the rest of the nation.
First, the electoral imbroglio in Eastern Hanover is over, at least for the time being, assuming that Mr Barrington Gray, the losing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate, does not change his mind about filing an election petition.
But even if he does file the petition, which is his right, we are still encouraged by the front page photograph in yesterday's edition of the Observer. In that picture, which is worth the proverbial thousand words, Mr Gray seemed quite resigned to his electoral fate, and was caught in a jovial mood with his victorious opponent, Dr D K Duncan of the People's National Party (PNP).
Even if for symbolic purposes only, the camaraderie captured in the photo sends a signal that the tension generated by the drawn-out process to decide who won the seat in the September 3 general elections, will now defuse and give the constituency a chance to settle down.
This is crucial for beginning the important task of providing the people a representative in Parliament and getting on with the task of addressing the many problems besetting the area.
May we congratulate Dr Duncan on a spirited campaign showing that he has not run out of steam, after the turbulence of the 1970s when he was a key figure as Michael Manley's famed if controversial minister of mobilisation.
The fact that the PNP has picked up another seat and the count is now 32 JLP to 28 PNP is not a big point, as that does not change the fact that the people have spoken and we have a new government.
Which leads us to our second reason for relief - the belated statement by Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller that she is more interested in getting a direct mandate from the people than in retaining power through the courts.
We take it that Mrs Simpson Miller has overcome the initial bitter taste of defeat and has accepted that the country has selected a new government.
Naturally, we were disappointed by her unstatesmanlike behaviour on election night in not conceding defeat. But we understand that feelings run high on such occasions. There is great thrill in victory, but conversely great agony in defeat.
Here again, we would like to think that she has got over the bitterness and hurt and has accepted that the people who voted in the PNP for four consecutive terms are the same ones who have now decided to work with the JLP.
Still, Mrs Simpson Miller, as we have said before, need not clothe herself in despondency. After almost 20 years in power, and having had their fair share of scandals and controversies, the fact that the PNP was not obliterated at the polls is an achievement which can console her.
Our optimism is also reinforced by her decision to call in former energy and mining minister, Mr Phillip Paulwell, and his deputy, Mr Kern Spencer, to account for the money spent on the free Cuban light bulbs. That also is a sign that the opposition leader means business and is not interested in playing politics at this stage.
So far, so good.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Two developments towards the weekend gave us cause to breathe a sigh of relief with the rest of the nation.
First, the electoral imbroglio in Eastern Hanover is over, at least for the time being, assuming that Mr Barrington Gray, the losing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate, does not change his mind about filing an election petition.
But even if he does file the petition, which is his right, we are still encouraged by the front page photograph in yesterday's edition of the Observer. In that picture, which is worth the proverbial thousand words, Mr Gray seemed quite resigned to his electoral fate, and was caught in a jovial mood with his victorious opponent, Dr D K Duncan of the People's National Party (PNP).
Even if for symbolic purposes only, the camaraderie captured in the photo sends a signal that the tension generated by the drawn-out process to decide who won the seat in the September 3 general elections, will now defuse and give the constituency a chance to settle down.
This is crucial for beginning the important task of providing the people a representative in Parliament and getting on with the task of addressing the many problems besetting the area.
May we congratulate Dr Duncan on a spirited campaign showing that he has not run out of steam, after the turbulence of the 1970s when he was a key figure as Michael Manley's famed if controversial minister of mobilisation.
The fact that the PNP has picked up another seat and the count is now 32 JLP to 28 PNP is not a big point, as that does not change the fact that the people have spoken and we have a new government.
Which leads us to our second reason for relief - the belated statement by Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller that she is more interested in getting a direct mandate from the people than in retaining power through the courts.
We take it that Mrs Simpson Miller has overcome the initial bitter taste of defeat and has accepted that the country has selected a new government.
Naturally, we were disappointed by her unstatesmanlike behaviour on election night in not conceding defeat. But we understand that feelings run high on such occasions. There is great thrill in victory, but conversely great agony in defeat.
Here again, we would like to think that she has got over the bitterness and hurt and has accepted that the people who voted in the PNP for four consecutive terms are the same ones who have now decided to work with the JLP.
Still, Mrs Simpson Miller, as we have said before, need not clothe herself in despondency. After almost 20 years in power, and having had their fair share of scandals and controversies, the fact that the PNP was not obliterated at the polls is an achievement which can console her.
Our optimism is also reinforced by her decision to call in former energy and mining minister, Mr Phillip Paulwell, and his deputy, Mr Kern Spencer, to account for the money spent on the free Cuban light bulbs. That also is a sign that the opposition leader means business and is not interested in playing politics at this stage.
So far, so good.