Tweet
Golding and Jamaica, a bad romance - UWI lecturer
Published: Tuesday | August 24, 2010
Cummings
Patrina Pink, Gleaner Intern
THE RELATIONSHIP between the nation and Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been described by one university lecturer as a marriage gone sour.
Dr Christine Cummings, lecturer in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, declared yesterday that The Sunday Gleaner's email revelations, showing United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips was working directly for the Jamaican government on the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition case, was the final nail in Golding's coffin.
Cummings suggested that another member of the Jamaica Labour Party offer himself or herself up for leadership of the party.
"If there is somebody in the party with one shred of integrity left, maybe he should volunteer to run the country until elections are called," said Cummings, sounding jaded.
Hypocrisy
She said the Manatt controversy exposed the hypocrisy of so-called corruption fighting efforts on the part of the Government.
"On the one hand, the Government pretends to be dealing with corruption in terms of statutory agencies and executive agency heads, but in terms of their own ministers and their own members of parliament, we don't hear any attempts to tell them to step down until matters are dealt with," Cummings lamented.
Joseph Pereira, retiring deputy principal at the UWI Mona, was not as vocal as Cummings but remained firm.
"As a private citizen, I believe that those who lie to the nation should resign," said Pereira, refusing to comment further.
Cummings said she believed Golding's time as leader has expired.
"The truth of the matter is Mr Golding's tenure is just a waste of time. It's like living with your ex-husband in a very bad vibe," she said.
Omar Ryan, a youth activist and student at the UWI Mona, shares Cummings' sentiments.
"It really reflects poorly on the country. He literally has no credibility left. Out of all the prime ministers I can remember, he is definitely the worst."
Ryan said it was a mistake for Jamaicans to accept Golding's apology.
"This man was apologising and lying while he was making (his apology). That's really deceitful," he said.
Alaina Ingram, a second-year psychology student, said Golding lacked morality and that Jamaicans should not have to put up with him.
"I don't think it's fair to us that our prime minister gets to lie to us so much and he's still in office," she said. "I don't trust him and I don't trust my Government either."
Javaughn Neil, president of UWI Mona's Guild of Students, said Golding's leadership was com-promised.
"They need to do an independent investigation into this issue. This issue cannot be pushed aside as it concerns the progression and image of the country. It's an issue we have to deal with as a people," he said.
patrina.pink@gleanerjm.com
Share |
Comment