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PSC squabble weakens PM's bid for consensus-building
Monday, December 17, 2007
It is ironic that Prime Minister Bruce Golding is now being accused of cynically and arbitrarily abusing the power vested in him. For more than any other modern politician, Mr Golding has advocated with almost missionary zeal a reduction in the power of the prime minister and the Cabinet and a strengthening of the Parliament, including the parliamentary opposition.
By using all the powers available to him to first frustrate and then dismiss the Public Service Commission (PSC), Mr Golding has, perhaps unwittingly, provided ammunition for his critics and opponents who have long contended that the vision of a new Jamaica outlined by him while in Opposition amounted to no more than electioneering.
The suspicion and bitterness that have flowed from this impasse will only serve to weaken Mr Golding's admirable bid for consensus-building begun by his brilliant victory speech on the night of the September 3 general elections. Indeed, among many an independent mind, Mr Golding's actions will be perceived as an undermining of the Constitution and a betrayal of trust.
Crucially too, the whole issue has brought into question the role of the Office of the Governor-General. Already there has been veiled criticism of Sir Kenneth Hall, given the belief among many that had he simply carried out the recommendation of the Public Service Commission and formally appointed Mr Stephen Vasciannie from weeks ago, he would in fact have done his duty as required by the Constitution.
Also, let's not forget the damage to the reputations of the members of the PSC, distinguished Jamaicans that the prime minister has manoeuvred from office on the grounds of "misbehaviour" - based largely, we are told, on a Supreme Court ruling that cast the commission in a bad light.
Of course, Mr Golding's critics have argued that the "misbehaviour" allegation amounts to no more than a flimsy excuse aimed at disguising his objection to Mr Vasciannie's appointment. Indeed, Mr Golding would have been on firmer ground had he moved against the PSC prior to their insistence, against his wishes, on the appointment of Mr Vasciannie. After all, we have been reminded that former prime ministers, Mr Michael Manley in 1976 and Mr Edward Seaga in 1980 did exactly that successfully, flowing from their discomfort with individuals on the PSC.
But from all of this there arises a fundamental question that has popped up from time to time in our Westminster style of governance: shouldn't prime ministers, who after all have been elected by the people, have the moral right to choose those with whom they must work closest?
Bear in mind that the solicitor-general, for example, is no ordinary senior civil servant. As we understand it, he is in effect the Government's lawyer - the legal adviser. Is it reasonable to expect the prime minister to have to work that closely with someone with whom he is not comfortable?
Then again, were we to go that route Mr Golding's pledge of reduced power for the executive would perhaps go clean through the window.
Monday, December 17, 2007
It is ironic that Prime Minister Bruce Golding is now being accused of cynically and arbitrarily abusing the power vested in him. For more than any other modern politician, Mr Golding has advocated with almost missionary zeal a reduction in the power of the prime minister and the Cabinet and a strengthening of the Parliament, including the parliamentary opposition.
By using all the powers available to him to first frustrate and then dismiss the Public Service Commission (PSC), Mr Golding has, perhaps unwittingly, provided ammunition for his critics and opponents who have long contended that the vision of a new Jamaica outlined by him while in Opposition amounted to no more than electioneering.
The suspicion and bitterness that have flowed from this impasse will only serve to weaken Mr Golding's admirable bid for consensus-building begun by his brilliant victory speech on the night of the September 3 general elections. Indeed, among many an independent mind, Mr Golding's actions will be perceived as an undermining of the Constitution and a betrayal of trust.
Crucially too, the whole issue has brought into question the role of the Office of the Governor-General. Already there has been veiled criticism of Sir Kenneth Hall, given the belief among many that had he simply carried out the recommendation of the Public Service Commission and formally appointed Mr Stephen Vasciannie from weeks ago, he would in fact have done his duty as required by the Constitution.
Also, let's not forget the damage to the reputations of the members of the PSC, distinguished Jamaicans that the prime minister has manoeuvred from office on the grounds of "misbehaviour" - based largely, we are told, on a Supreme Court ruling that cast the commission in a bad light.
Of course, Mr Golding's critics have argued that the "misbehaviour" allegation amounts to no more than a flimsy excuse aimed at disguising his objection to Mr Vasciannie's appointment. Indeed, Mr Golding would have been on firmer ground had he moved against the PSC prior to their insistence, against his wishes, on the appointment of Mr Vasciannie. After all, we have been reminded that former prime ministers, Mr Michael Manley in 1976 and Mr Edward Seaga in 1980 did exactly that successfully, flowing from their discomfort with individuals on the PSC.
But from all of this there arises a fundamental question that has popped up from time to time in our Westminster style of governance: shouldn't prime ministers, who after all have been elected by the people, have the moral right to choose those with whom they must work closest?
Bear in mind that the solicitor-general, for example, is no ordinary senior civil servant. As we understand it, he is in effect the Government's lawyer - the legal adviser. Is it reasonable to expect the prime minister to have to work that closely with someone with whom he is not comfortable?
Then again, were we to go that route Mr Golding's pledge of reduced power for the executive would perhaps go clean through the window.
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