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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Death in the arena?</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Lloyd B. Smith
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=80 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Lloyd B. Smith</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>The growing perception that prime minister and People's National Party president Portia Lucretia Simpson Miller cannot manage effectively neither the affairs of government nor those of her party could deliver a death blow to that 68-year-old institution, come the next general elections. Indeed, it is not so much the scandals and the pervading stench of corruption that are causing many well-thinking Jamaicans to turn away from the PNP, but the fact that its very popular leader has not stood and delivered, both in terms of how she has handled state and internal party matters. Simply put, she comes across as being overwhelmed by current circumstances and can be likened to a character in search of an author.<P class=StoryText align=justify>What a disappointment for those many people, both inside and outside the ruling PNP,who rallied around Sister P during the presidential elections even when delegates were being told by Maxine Henry-Wilson not to take a chance. Even now, that strident call from the "Solid As A Rock" team of main contender Dr Peter Phillips continues to have a haunting effect.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Is Portia out of her depth or is it that she has inherited not only a corrupt administration but a coterie of people not sufficiently schooled in statecraft? Then again, a good and effective leader is not necessarily someone who has his or her fingers in every pie, or has to cross every "t" and dot every "i". Such a leader delegates responsibilties but ensures that there is strict adherence to accountability, transparency and probity. Neither Sir Alexander Bustamante nor Hugh Shearer were university graduates but under their watch it is fair to say in retrospect that they managed reasonably well.<P class=StoryText align=justify>A charismatic Michael Manley was known not to be one who wanted to be bogged down with the "nitty-gritty" of government but he was in charge and stamped his authority when necessary.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In the arena of Jamaican politics, the scenario of a triumphant ride into Jerusalem to be followed by the crucifixion is an ever-present and clear danger to any populist leader. Is it that Mrs Simpson Miller has deluded herself into believing that her popularity alone can bring home the bacon? This would be a most unfortunate position to take because already one sees where her popular standing in the nation is being whittled away almost daily against the backdrop of a party that has become fractious and seemingly on a path to self-destruct.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Interestingly, even as the PNP reels from one scandal after another and even as the vexing issue of candidate selection brings much dirty linen into public view, the country's economy is on a positive growth path and crime is down overall by 25 per cent. In addition, there are many positive things happening in the wider society for which this PNP administration can take credit. However, because of this preoccupation with Portia's weaknesses, the strengths of the party have taken a back seat. What a bitter irony!<P class=StoryText align=justify>In the meantime, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party is riding on a sustained momentum which, if it remains unchecked, will see Bruce Golding not necessarily giving his Christmas message this year from Jamaica House but definitely next year. Another bit of irony is that right now the JLP is more popular than its leader while in the case o
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Lloyd B. Smith
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=80 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Lloyd B. Smith</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>The growing perception that prime minister and People's National Party president Portia Lucretia Simpson Miller cannot manage effectively neither the affairs of government nor those of her party could deliver a death blow to that 68-year-old institution, come the next general elections. Indeed, it is not so much the scandals and the pervading stench of corruption that are causing many well-thinking Jamaicans to turn away from the PNP, but the fact that its very popular leader has not stood and delivered, both in terms of how she has handled state and internal party matters. Simply put, she comes across as being overwhelmed by current circumstances and can be likened to a character in search of an author.<P class=StoryText align=justify>What a disappointment for those many people, both inside and outside the ruling PNP,who rallied around Sister P during the presidential elections even when delegates were being told by Maxine Henry-Wilson not to take a chance. Even now, that strident call from the "Solid As A Rock" team of main contender Dr Peter Phillips continues to have a haunting effect.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Is Portia out of her depth or is it that she has inherited not only a corrupt administration but a coterie of people not sufficiently schooled in statecraft? Then again, a good and effective leader is not necessarily someone who has his or her fingers in every pie, or has to cross every "t" and dot every "i". Such a leader delegates responsibilties but ensures that there is strict adherence to accountability, transparency and probity. Neither Sir Alexander Bustamante nor Hugh Shearer were university graduates but under their watch it is fair to say in retrospect that they managed reasonably well.<P class=StoryText align=justify>A charismatic Michael Manley was known not to be one who wanted to be bogged down with the "nitty-gritty" of government but he was in charge and stamped his authority when necessary.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In the arena of Jamaican politics, the scenario of a triumphant ride into Jerusalem to be followed by the crucifixion is an ever-present and clear danger to any populist leader. Is it that Mrs Simpson Miller has deluded herself into believing that her popularity alone can bring home the bacon? This would be a most unfortunate position to take because already one sees where her popular standing in the nation is being whittled away almost daily against the backdrop of a party that has become fractious and seemingly on a path to self-destruct.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Interestingly, even as the PNP reels from one scandal after another and even as the vexing issue of candidate selection brings much dirty linen into public view, the country's economy is on a positive growth path and crime is down overall by 25 per cent. In addition, there are many positive things happening in the wider society for which this PNP administration can take credit. However, because of this preoccupation with Portia's weaknesses, the strengths of the party have taken a back seat. What a bitter irony!<P class=StoryText align=justify>In the meantime, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party is riding on a sustained momentum which, if it remains unchecked, will see Bruce Golding not necessarily giving his Christmas message this year from Jamaica House but definitely next year. Another bit of irony is that right now the JLP is more popular than its leader while in the case o
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