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You know, last year, while the People's National Party (PNP) was trying to find itself a new leader, I told a colleague here that if Portia Simpson Miller became prime minister, I was not going to return to <SPAN class=kLink style="FONT-WEIGHT: 700; COLOR: blue! important; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; POSITION: relative">Jamaica</SPAN>. However, after she won, I thought 'What the heck!' she can't possibly do any worse than any of the men in the party. It is now becoming painfully obvious that she can.
I was hoping that Omar would have won because despite the fact that he was the most unpopular candidate, I believed then and still believe now, that he is the right man for the job. Political leaders should not be chosen on popularity alone. If I am hiring someone for a job, it's nice when they're likeable but it is much better if they are capable.
Portia became Jamaica's first female prime minister on a wave of popularity not seen since the Michael Manley hey day, but after just over six months, that wave of excitement is all but dead.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am all for Jamaica having a female prime minister, just not Portia. And it's not just about her not being bright enough, or sophisticated enough, or experienced enough at the international level. For me, it's all of the above and more.
First it was all the religious hype that went nowhere fast. Then it was Trafigura, which she has botched mightily as leader of the party, and now she has managed to upset the head of the <SPAN class=kLink style="FONT-WEIGHT: 400; COLOR: blue! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: blue 1px solid; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; POSITION: relative; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">European </SPAN><SPAN class=kLink style="FONT-WEIGHT: 400; COLOR: blue! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: blue 1px solid; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; POSITION: relative; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Union</SPAN>, if the Jamaica Observer is to be believed. If the latter is true, then people 'oonu no see say di ooman no ready!"
What more proof does Jamaica need? I know it's only been six months but do we need more time?
Perceived corruption
If Portia was on probation, she would have got her dismissal letter by now.
I am not so concerned about what she hasn't done because in the world of politics and finance and the sort, six months is no time at all. I am more concerned about her inability to deal effectively with the simplest of matters.
As it concerns Trafigura, she could have and should have used the opportunity to show Jamaica that she is in charge and will not tolerate the perceived corruption that currently exists. Call for a speedy and thorough investigation, then fire Colin Cam
You know, last year, while the People's National Party (PNP) was trying to find itself a new leader, I told a colleague here that if Portia Simpson Miller became prime minister, I was not going to return to <SPAN class=kLink style="FONT-WEIGHT: 700; COLOR: blue! important; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; POSITION: relative">Jamaica</SPAN>. However, after she won, I thought 'What the heck!' she can't possibly do any worse than any of the men in the party. It is now becoming painfully obvious that she can.
I was hoping that Omar would have won because despite the fact that he was the most unpopular candidate, I believed then and still believe now, that he is the right man for the job. Political leaders should not be chosen on popularity alone. If I am hiring someone for a job, it's nice when they're likeable but it is much better if they are capable.
Portia became Jamaica's first female prime minister on a wave of popularity not seen since the Michael Manley hey day, but after just over six months, that wave of excitement is all but dead.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am all for Jamaica having a female prime minister, just not Portia. And it's not just about her not being bright enough, or sophisticated enough, or experienced enough at the international level. For me, it's all of the above and more.
First it was all the religious hype that went nowhere fast. Then it was Trafigura, which she has botched mightily as leader of the party, and now she has managed to upset the head of the <SPAN class=kLink style="FONT-WEIGHT: 400; COLOR: blue! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: blue 1px solid; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; POSITION: relative; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">European </SPAN><SPAN class=kLink style="FONT-WEIGHT: 400; COLOR: blue! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: blue 1px solid; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; POSITION: relative; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Union</SPAN>, if the Jamaica Observer is to be believed. If the latter is true, then people 'oonu no see say di ooman no ready!"
What more proof does Jamaica need? I know it's only been six months but do we need more time?
Perceived corruption
If Portia was on probation, she would have got her dismissal letter by now.
I am not so concerned about what she hasn't done because in the world of politics and finance and the sort, six months is no time at all. I am more concerned about her inability to deal effectively with the simplest of matters.
As it concerns Trafigura, she could have and should have used the opportunity to show Jamaica that she is in charge and will not tolerate the perceived corruption that currently exists. Call for a speedy and thorough investigation, then fire Colin Cam
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