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Welcome & baffling surprises
AnalysisRickey Singh
Sunday, January 06, 2008
DAWN of a new year normally brings its quota of surprises in public life, pleasant and otherwise. More often they pertain to politics and governance. The start of 2008 is no different.
Rickey Singh
In Barbados, currently immersed in election politics for voting day January 15, the competitors for state power are offering surprises of their own, with one of much significance coming from Prime Minister Owen Arthur himself.
Here in Jamaica, a welcome surprise on the governance issue is the announcement on Thursday by Opposition leader Portia Simspon Miller for the resumption of bipartisan talks with Prime Minister Bruce Golding's administration to address issues of national importance on the "way forward".
The agreement to resume the dialogue, interrupted by a most unfortunate verbal salvo from Golding, came as a surprise because on the previous day the impression was clearly conveyed that their holding of hands and praying together at a prayer event at the National Arena in Kingston was not enough to influence a spirit of reconciliation between them for talks to continue.
However, before returning to the 'surprises' provided last week by Prime Minister Arthur, leader of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), or that of Prime Minister Golding and Opposition leader Simpson Miller, I wish to reflect on an entirely different and appealing surprise that came from the daughter of the late prime minister of Grenada, Maurice Bishop, who was murdered 23 years ago.
FORGIVENESS IN GRENADA
Now a lawyer, Nadia Bishop returned to her "Isle of Spice" homeland for the Christmas holiday season. She commendably visited in prison the remaining 10 Grenadians who, along with an already freed six, were convicted of the execution of her father and a number of his leading Cabinet and New Jewel Movement colleagues on October 19, 1983.
I recall Nadia seeking the co-operation of authorities in both Grenada and the United States of America, which had invaded her tiny homeland on October 25, 1983, to help locate the remains of her slain dad.
Now, in keeping with the "goodwill" spirit of Christmas, she had returned to Grenada, visited ex-Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard and nine other prisoners convicted for her father's murder.
She then followed up that visit with an appeal, televised and otherwise reported by national/regional media, to all Grenadians to join her in "forgiveness and reconciliation" for the convicted killers in order to bring closure to that nightmare chapter in Grenada's political history.
How inspiring, in my view, this triumph of the human spirit! Let's hope that those who continue to nurse hatred for the killers of Maurice Bishop and others respond to the cry for forgiveness from a daughter whose father was so terribly wronged, politically, by superpower the USA, while he led a government in St George's and ultimately fell victim to the guns of colleagues with whom he had struggled for meaningful change.
BARBADOS' PUZZLING SURPRISE
The puzzling political surprise came from Prime Minister Owen Arthur on New Year's day with his announcement that he had identified Clyde Mascoll as "co-leader" of the governing Barbados Labour Party, one of the oldest parties in the Caribbean.
The defection almost a year ago by the economist Mascoll, former president of the Democratic Labour Party and its parliamentary opposition leader, to become a Cabinet minister in the BLP's third-term government, was unprecedented for Barbados and the entire Caribbean.
FOURTH TERM CO-LEADER
But Prime Minister Arthur may well have shocked more than those within the decision-making councils of his own party with the announced elevation of the incumbent candidate for St Michael North West as "co-leader", when the BLP secures its anticipated "fourth term victory" on January 15.
I do not know if a perceived maximum leadership role in the BLP permits what the Barbados Nation had headlined last Tuesday as Arthur's "anointing" of Mascoll as "co-leader". Or, whether the announcement was based on prior consultation and approval of a party that likes to point to its "democratic" tradition.
It is certainly an unprecedented development in multi-party politics in our region. A question of immediate relevance that would be of concern - for different reasons - to those within the BLP's fold, as well as the party's opponents, is what would become of potential aspirants for leadership - for instance current Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley - with Mascoll as "anointed co-leader", alongside Prime Minister Arthur who the 'BLPites' keep declaring they "need now more than ever"?
As a journalist of our Caribbean Community, I have long come to recognise the leadership qualities of Mr Arthur. I am, however, currently trying to figure out what precise factor or factors could have influenced him into this shock announcement within two weeks of a general election, the outcome of which remains uncertain at this stage?
Though his Democratic Labour Party's opponents would be inclined to exploit this political development for the rest of the election campaign, they should not expect - before January 15 for sure - any help from leading figures in the BLP who may justifiably feel hurt by Mascoll's announced "co-leader" role.
Nevertheless, win or lose, I would be surprised if this elevation of Mascoll does not prove much more than an election campaign irritant for party stalwarts whose own contributions have helped to sustain the BLP since its return to power in May 1994. Hectic days are clearly ahead for election campaign '08 with Arthur's showing of how much he personally seems to need Mascoll.
If it is a gamble to impress constituents in the sharply divided St Michael North West riding that Mascoll won on the DLP ticket at the last election, then Arthur probably feels that it is a worthwhile political investment, and one that could only further embitter his opponents and confuse their strategy for victory.
GOLDING- MILLER TALKS
In the case of the political disagreement between Government and Opposition in Jamaica, it is more to the credit of Simpson Miller and her PNP decision-making colleagues for the 'way forward' dialogue to resume, in the absence of any regret exhibited by Prime Minister Golding for his recent emotional outburst in which he had accused his opponents of suffering from "intellectual depravity" with their brains being "infested by termites".
Objectively, why then would Golding wish to have dialogue with such "depraved" people from the political opposition? Or, to say it differently, why would those accused of having "termite-infested brains" be anxious to talk with him about Jamaica's future?
Verbal abuse is not uncommon in party politics. But those in leadership positions, and moreso heads of government, have a responsibility to set exemplary standards of behaviour by what they say and do in public.
Similarly, those of the Opposition could better humour their accusers than betraying emotional, thin-skinned responses that could derail opportunities for co-operation in the national interest.
In the current circumstances, Jamaica - a most important member state of Caricom - is the winner with the resumption of government/opposition dialogue on matters of national importance, not the least being the crime epidemic and escalating cost-of-living also affecting other regional jurisdictions.
Whatever behind-the-scenes damage control may yet be pursued, it is good to know that the imbroglio that had developed between Golding and Simpson Miller is now over, and a delayed surfacing of the spirit of reconciliation is to translate immediately to the resumption of dialogue in Jamaica's best interest.
A pleasant, peaceful and profitable New Year to all readers.
AnalysisRickey Singh
Sunday, January 06, 2008
DAWN of a new year normally brings its quota of surprises in public life, pleasant and otherwise. More often they pertain to politics and governance. The start of 2008 is no different.
Rickey SinghIn Barbados, currently immersed in election politics for voting day January 15, the competitors for state power are offering surprises of their own, with one of much significance coming from Prime Minister Owen Arthur himself.
Here in Jamaica, a welcome surprise on the governance issue is the announcement on Thursday by Opposition leader Portia Simspon Miller for the resumption of bipartisan talks with Prime Minister Bruce Golding's administration to address issues of national importance on the "way forward".
The agreement to resume the dialogue, interrupted by a most unfortunate verbal salvo from Golding, came as a surprise because on the previous day the impression was clearly conveyed that their holding of hands and praying together at a prayer event at the National Arena in Kingston was not enough to influence a spirit of reconciliation between them for talks to continue.
However, before returning to the 'surprises' provided last week by Prime Minister Arthur, leader of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), or that of Prime Minister Golding and Opposition leader Simpson Miller, I wish to reflect on an entirely different and appealing surprise that came from the daughter of the late prime minister of Grenada, Maurice Bishop, who was murdered 23 years ago.
FORGIVENESS IN GRENADA
Now a lawyer, Nadia Bishop returned to her "Isle of Spice" homeland for the Christmas holiday season. She commendably visited in prison the remaining 10 Grenadians who, along with an already freed six, were convicted of the execution of her father and a number of his leading Cabinet and New Jewel Movement colleagues on October 19, 1983.
I recall Nadia seeking the co-operation of authorities in both Grenada and the United States of America, which had invaded her tiny homeland on October 25, 1983, to help locate the remains of her slain dad.
Now, in keeping with the "goodwill" spirit of Christmas, she had returned to Grenada, visited ex-Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard and nine other prisoners convicted for her father's murder.
She then followed up that visit with an appeal, televised and otherwise reported by national/regional media, to all Grenadians to join her in "forgiveness and reconciliation" for the convicted killers in order to bring closure to that nightmare chapter in Grenada's political history.
How inspiring, in my view, this triumph of the human spirit! Let's hope that those who continue to nurse hatred for the killers of Maurice Bishop and others respond to the cry for forgiveness from a daughter whose father was so terribly wronged, politically, by superpower the USA, while he led a government in St George's and ultimately fell victim to the guns of colleagues with whom he had struggled for meaningful change.
BARBADOS' PUZZLING SURPRISE
The puzzling political surprise came from Prime Minister Owen Arthur on New Year's day with his announcement that he had identified Clyde Mascoll as "co-leader" of the governing Barbados Labour Party, one of the oldest parties in the Caribbean.
The defection almost a year ago by the economist Mascoll, former president of the Democratic Labour Party and its parliamentary opposition leader, to become a Cabinet minister in the BLP's third-term government, was unprecedented for Barbados and the entire Caribbean.
FOURTH TERM CO-LEADER
But Prime Minister Arthur may well have shocked more than those within the decision-making councils of his own party with the announced elevation of the incumbent candidate for St Michael North West as "co-leader", when the BLP secures its anticipated "fourth term victory" on January 15.
I do not know if a perceived maximum leadership role in the BLP permits what the Barbados Nation had headlined last Tuesday as Arthur's "anointing" of Mascoll as "co-leader". Or, whether the announcement was based on prior consultation and approval of a party that likes to point to its "democratic" tradition.
It is certainly an unprecedented development in multi-party politics in our region. A question of immediate relevance that would be of concern - for different reasons - to those within the BLP's fold, as well as the party's opponents, is what would become of potential aspirants for leadership - for instance current Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley - with Mascoll as "anointed co-leader", alongside Prime Minister Arthur who the 'BLPites' keep declaring they "need now more than ever"?
As a journalist of our Caribbean Community, I have long come to recognise the leadership qualities of Mr Arthur. I am, however, currently trying to figure out what precise factor or factors could have influenced him into this shock announcement within two weeks of a general election, the outcome of which remains uncertain at this stage?
Though his Democratic Labour Party's opponents would be inclined to exploit this political development for the rest of the election campaign, they should not expect - before January 15 for sure - any help from leading figures in the BLP who may justifiably feel hurt by Mascoll's announced "co-leader" role.
Nevertheless, win or lose, I would be surprised if this elevation of Mascoll does not prove much more than an election campaign irritant for party stalwarts whose own contributions have helped to sustain the BLP since its return to power in May 1994. Hectic days are clearly ahead for election campaign '08 with Arthur's showing of how much he personally seems to need Mascoll.
If it is a gamble to impress constituents in the sharply divided St Michael North West riding that Mascoll won on the DLP ticket at the last election, then Arthur probably feels that it is a worthwhile political investment, and one that could only further embitter his opponents and confuse their strategy for victory.
GOLDING- MILLER TALKS
In the case of the political disagreement between Government and Opposition in Jamaica, it is more to the credit of Simpson Miller and her PNP decision-making colleagues for the 'way forward' dialogue to resume, in the absence of any regret exhibited by Prime Minister Golding for his recent emotional outburst in which he had accused his opponents of suffering from "intellectual depravity" with their brains being "infested by termites".
Objectively, why then would Golding wish to have dialogue with such "depraved" people from the political opposition? Or, to say it differently, why would those accused of having "termite-infested brains" be anxious to talk with him about Jamaica's future?
Verbal abuse is not uncommon in party politics. But those in leadership positions, and moreso heads of government, have a responsibility to set exemplary standards of behaviour by what they say and do in public.
Similarly, those of the Opposition could better humour their accusers than betraying emotional, thin-skinned responses that could derail opportunities for co-operation in the national interest.
In the current circumstances, Jamaica - a most important member state of Caricom - is the winner with the resumption of government/opposition dialogue on matters of national importance, not the least being the crime epidemic and escalating cost-of-living also affecting other regional jurisdictions.
Whatever behind-the-scenes damage control may yet be pursued, it is good to know that the imbroglio that had developed between Golding and Simpson Miller is now over, and a delayed surfacing of the spirit of reconciliation is to translate immediately to the resumption of dialogue in Jamaica's best interest.
A pleasant, peaceful and profitable New Year to all readers.