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Playing politics
published: Wednesday | April 16, 2008
Peter Espeut
I am a little disappointed at the pretence of supporting and defending the Jamaican Constitution all of a sudden by both sides. During the many decades that both the PNP and the JLP perverted our democracy and savaged the electoral system by padding the voters' lists, putting corrupt election-day workers in place, and stuffing ballot boxes,there was little talk of defending the Constitution.
One of the biggest threats to the Jamaican constitution in the history of our young democracy is the system of garrison constituencies, which both parties operate. The JLP began it, and the PNP continued it, but both have subverted the polity of the country by setting up these monolithic political enclaves where the freedoms and civil rights of residents therein are drastically curtailed; general elections really only have meaning in non-garrison constituencies.
Turn war
I do not see anyone on either side of the House losing any sleep over the turf war waged by the minions of both sides producing one of the highest murder rates per capita in the world, a declining economy and an ever- increasing sense of insecurity. I want to see both the PNP and the JLP defend the Constitution of Jamaica by dismantling the garrisons!
It is quite clear to even a casual observer that over the years, both the PNP and the JLP have ignored many provisions of the Jamaican Constitution, and that they have most sought to adhere to the Constitution only when it suits them. Over the years, both parties have ignored the Constitution and put forward candidates who have sworn allegiance to foreign powers. Is there anyone to deny that both the PNP and the JLP in their time have destroyed the independence of the civil service? Is there anyone to deny that both the PNP and the JLP in their time have put allegiance to party before allegiance to nation, while parties are not mentioned in our Constitution?
Regular readers of this column know that I am a great believer in the need to reform the Jamaican Constitution, but until then, we must support and defend the one we have. I believe that playing politics with our Constitution is one of the surest ways to show disrespect for the Jamaican nation and all we stand for.
Allegiance
Let us say you were really interested in defending the Constitution, in making sure that all MPs and senators had not sworn allegiance to a foreign power, how would you go about it? Would you make a public statement before nomination day reminding all contenders from all sides of the eligibility requirements?
Or would you tell only the candidates on your side, warning them to renounce their US citizenship, and dropping those who choose not to? And then after nomination day, when it is too late for the other side to do anything about it, you make the announcement that some of your opponents are ineligible for nomination? The latter behaviour reflects not a love for the Constitution, but a love of playing political games to gain political advantage. If you are unsure you will win by the ballot box, then you will have to try to play a trick.
The only reason Commonwealth countries are not considered 'foreign' is that we all have the same head of state - Britain's queen. Yet the previous government changed our Oath of Allegiance such that politicians no longer swear loyalty to the queen. If the previous government had its way, the Queen would no longer be our head of state, and all countries would have become 'foreign'. Does that mean that dual citizenship with the UK and Canada and Barbados will raise issues of allegiance to a foreign power?
The irony of the present situation is not lost on me. It was the PNP when in government who courted the diaspora (Jamaicans living overseas, many of them having sworn allegiance to a foreign power), offering them a greater say in national affairs. There was even talk of seats in the senate for members of the diaspora (i.e. for non-residents, even foreign nationals).
Be warned
All this business of dual citizenship and allegiance to foreign power is important - don't get me wrong - but what we don't need is parties playing politics with our Constitution. All this controversy is a distraction and should not have happened! All candidates should have been warned prior to nomination day, and the Government and (for the moment) her majesty's loyal opposition, allowed to get on with important things like educating our people and growing the economy. Peter Espeut is a sociologist and is executive director of an environment and development NGO.
published: Wednesday | April 16, 2008
Peter Espeut
I am a little disappointed at the pretence of supporting and defending the Jamaican Constitution all of a sudden by both sides. During the many decades that both the PNP and the JLP perverted our democracy and savaged the electoral system by padding the voters' lists, putting corrupt election-day workers in place, and stuffing ballot boxes,there was little talk of defending the Constitution.
One of the biggest threats to the Jamaican constitution in the history of our young democracy is the system of garrison constituencies, which both parties operate. The JLP began it, and the PNP continued it, but both have subverted the polity of the country by setting up these monolithic political enclaves where the freedoms and civil rights of residents therein are drastically curtailed; general elections really only have meaning in non-garrison constituencies.
Turn war
I do not see anyone on either side of the House losing any sleep over the turf war waged by the minions of both sides producing one of the highest murder rates per capita in the world, a declining economy and an ever- increasing sense of insecurity. I want to see both the PNP and the JLP defend the Constitution of Jamaica by dismantling the garrisons!
It is quite clear to even a casual observer that over the years, both the PNP and the JLP have ignored many provisions of the Jamaican Constitution, and that they have most sought to adhere to the Constitution only when it suits them. Over the years, both parties have ignored the Constitution and put forward candidates who have sworn allegiance to foreign powers. Is there anyone to deny that both the PNP and the JLP in their time have destroyed the independence of the civil service? Is there anyone to deny that both the PNP and the JLP in their time have put allegiance to party before allegiance to nation, while parties are not mentioned in our Constitution?
Regular readers of this column know that I am a great believer in the need to reform the Jamaican Constitution, but until then, we must support and defend the one we have. I believe that playing politics with our Constitution is one of the surest ways to show disrespect for the Jamaican nation and all we stand for.
Allegiance
Let us say you were really interested in defending the Constitution, in making sure that all MPs and senators had not sworn allegiance to a foreign power, how would you go about it? Would you make a public statement before nomination day reminding all contenders from all sides of the eligibility requirements?
Or would you tell only the candidates on your side, warning them to renounce their US citizenship, and dropping those who choose not to? And then after nomination day, when it is too late for the other side to do anything about it, you make the announcement that some of your opponents are ineligible for nomination? The latter behaviour reflects not a love for the Constitution, but a love of playing political games to gain political advantage. If you are unsure you will win by the ballot box, then you will have to try to play a trick.
The only reason Commonwealth countries are not considered 'foreign' is that we all have the same head of state - Britain's queen. Yet the previous government changed our Oath of Allegiance such that politicians no longer swear loyalty to the queen. If the previous government had its way, the Queen would no longer be our head of state, and all countries would have become 'foreign'. Does that mean that dual citizenship with the UK and Canada and Barbados will raise issues of allegiance to a foreign power?
The irony of the present situation is not lost on me. It was the PNP when in government who courted the diaspora (Jamaicans living overseas, many of them having sworn allegiance to a foreign power), offering them a greater say in national affairs. There was even talk of seats in the senate for members of the diaspora (i.e. for non-residents, even foreign nationals).
Be warned
All this business of dual citizenship and allegiance to foreign power is important - don't get me wrong - but what we don't need is parties playing politics with our Constitution. All this controversy is a distraction and should not have happened! All candidates should have been warned prior to nomination day, and the Government and (for the moment) her majesty's loyal opposition, allowed to get on with important things like educating our people and growing the economy. Peter Espeut is a sociologist and is executive director of an environment and development NGO.
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