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EDITORIAL - Shape Up, Mr Prime Minister
Published: Wednesday | May 12, 20100 Comments and 0 Reactions
We hope Prime Minister Bruce Golding had time for reflection during his well-needed holiday. Perhaps, this introspection will allow him to discern the dangerous, imprudent and, on the face of it, selfish game he is playing with the fortunes of the country and his governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
For the prime minister's policy towards extradition has the appearance of elevating personal political opportunism before national interest. By allowing the wrangling over the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke affair to keep going and continuing to handle the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips matter badly, Jamaicans are left with the impression that Mr Golding and his Government are indecisive, or maybe worse.
In the process, Mr Golding has badly squandered the goodwill among a critical constituency that propelled him to office in 2007.
As the prime minister is well aware, the JLP is not the natural majority party in Jamaica. It tends to win power when the Jamaican middle class swings behind it, as happened at the last election.
The administration's ineptitude in managing the country's crime problem, its poor handling of the Coke matter and the PM's seemingly selfish efforts to protect his electoral seat appear to be having the reverse effect which, if unchanged, will almost certainly ensure that the JLP is a one-term government.
It is surprising that the JLP's other MPs appear not to see this threat, which in many other states might have triggered a military coup, and warn Mr Golding against sacrificing their political future. Indeed, past leaders of the JLP must be turning in their graves.
It is not, however, only on the political front that the administration appears intent on burning bridges. Historically, the JLP has been close to the business community. Among the most recent manifestation of this relationship was the private sector's support for the Government's rescheduling of the country's domestic debt. Yet, today the attorney general is joining the leading business association, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, in a hostile legal suit. Happily, this matter has been settled.
Failed to practise
Jamaica deserves better. It demands the kind of leadership of which Mr Golding spoke so eloquently at the start, but which he failed to put into practice.
It could be that the prime minister is not his own master and is threatened by old political stalwarts, who perceive their electability as being hinged to the fortunes of thugs who mobilise their constituencies. It is possible, too, that a few younger players believe that the interests of some Jamaicans are best served by weak law enforcement.
Whatever the cause of the prime minister's posture, he should be aware that the effete behaviour is of no value to Jamaica.
We therefore urge Mr Golding to shape up, sort out the Coke extradition matter and name all those involved in the Manatt affair. He must also expel from Cabinet all those who rely on gangs to rustle votes, and take the necessary steps to get our public finances back into shape.
To do otherwise is to ensure a slide down a precipice and the judgement of history as an ineffectual, flawed and opportunistic leader. What is surprising is just how little Mr Golding and his Cabinet colleagues seem to care.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.
Published: Wednesday | May 12, 20100 Comments and 0 Reactions
We hope Prime Minister Bruce Golding had time for reflection during his well-needed holiday. Perhaps, this introspection will allow him to discern the dangerous, imprudent and, on the face of it, selfish game he is playing with the fortunes of the country and his governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
For the prime minister's policy towards extradition has the appearance of elevating personal political opportunism before national interest. By allowing the wrangling over the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke affair to keep going and continuing to handle the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips matter badly, Jamaicans are left with the impression that Mr Golding and his Government are indecisive, or maybe worse.
In the process, Mr Golding has badly squandered the goodwill among a critical constituency that propelled him to office in 2007.
As the prime minister is well aware, the JLP is not the natural majority party in Jamaica. It tends to win power when the Jamaican middle class swings behind it, as happened at the last election.
The administration's ineptitude in managing the country's crime problem, its poor handling of the Coke matter and the PM's seemingly selfish efforts to protect his electoral seat appear to be having the reverse effect which, if unchanged, will almost certainly ensure that the JLP is a one-term government.
It is surprising that the JLP's other MPs appear not to see this threat, which in many other states might have triggered a military coup, and warn Mr Golding against sacrificing their political future. Indeed, past leaders of the JLP must be turning in their graves.
It is not, however, only on the political front that the administration appears intent on burning bridges. Historically, the JLP has been close to the business community. Among the most recent manifestation of this relationship was the private sector's support for the Government's rescheduling of the country's domestic debt. Yet, today the attorney general is joining the leading business association, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, in a hostile legal suit. Happily, this matter has been settled.
Failed to practise
Jamaica deserves better. It demands the kind of leadership of which Mr Golding spoke so eloquently at the start, but which he failed to put into practice.
It could be that the prime minister is not his own master and is threatened by old political stalwarts, who perceive their electability as being hinged to the fortunes of thugs who mobilise their constituencies. It is possible, too, that a few younger players believe that the interests of some Jamaicans are best served by weak law enforcement.
Whatever the cause of the prime minister's posture, he should be aware that the effete behaviour is of no value to Jamaica.
We therefore urge Mr Golding to shape up, sort out the Coke extradition matter and name all those involved in the Manatt affair. He must also expel from Cabinet all those who rely on gangs to rustle votes, and take the necessary steps to get our public finances back into shape.
To do otherwise is to ensure a slide down a precipice and the judgement of history as an ineffectual, flawed and opportunistic leader. What is surprising is just how little Mr Golding and his Cabinet colleagues seem to care.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.
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