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EDITORIAL: PNP gang missing chance to signal reform
Published: Sunday | May 1, 2011
Mr Roger Clarke is a competent and successful sugar farmer of the old school, a jovial personality and decent human being, who is, no doubt, well liked by his parliamentary constituents. We like him, too.
At his next birthday on June 11, Mr Clarke will be 72. That, of itself, would mean little to us, except in the context of the need for succession planning and organisational renewal.
You see, Roger Clarke is a leading member of one of the gangs of Gordon House which has alternated in government for more than half a century and shaped Jamaica's political life for more than 70 years. He is a vice-president emeritus of the People's National Party (PNP), the Opposition, and is that party's shadow minister of agriculture. Indeed, Mr Clarke managed that portfolio during the PNP's last administration without great distinction, although he was no disaster.
We make these observations about Mr Clarke not out of bloody-mindedness, or, as we have noted, animosity towards the former minister. Rather, he serves as a symbol of how the political parties continue to fail to grasp opportunities to transform themselves from the culture of gangs - closed institutions pursuing narrow interests.
The Throne Speech by the governor general, setting out the administration's priorities for the next 12 months, followed by the presentation of the Budget, marks the start of the parliamentary year. Governments try to use the process to suggest a fresh start, or a sense of renewal.
We had hoped that this year, the attempt would be genuine, and that the Opposition would use the Budget Debate to indicate a remaking of itself.
path of succession
In other words, the PNP, whoever it chose to speak in the debate, would signal that it was a party of fresh ideas; that it was mapping a clear path of succession; that it was creating a new context to leadership.
But last week, after the opening of the debate by the finance minister, Mr Audley Shaw, it was announced that the PNP's interventions would come from its shadow finance minister, Dr Omar Davies, who held the job for 14 years; its leader, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, and Mr Clarke.
We concede Dr Davies for the fact that he continues to be the party's spokesman on finance, although we believe, as we have said before, based on what he has achieved in his parliamentary constituency, he would make an excellent education minister.
We could not deny Mrs Simpson Miller her right to speak. Well ... she is the leader.
Unfortunately, his bonhomie notwithstanding, we can find no excuse to entertain Roger Clarke.
Frankly, we believe the PNP would have done better to showcase during the Budget Debate some of its younger parliamentarians, who, without hubris, have demonstrated thoughtfulness during their interventions in the House and its various committees. There are not many of them, but the handful includes Lisa Hanna, Morais Guy, Fitz Jackson and Fenton Ferguson.
It is not too late for the PNP to make amends if the party's leadership is serious about reform, which, in the circumstance, would make them look past perceived embarrassment. What Mrs Simpson Miller should look at, if she does the right things, are the potential returns.
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: Sunday | May 1, 2011
Mr Roger Clarke is a competent and successful sugar farmer of the old school, a jovial personality and decent human being, who is, no doubt, well liked by his parliamentary constituents. We like him, too.
At his next birthday on June 11, Mr Clarke will be 72. That, of itself, would mean little to us, except in the context of the need for succession planning and organisational renewal.
You see, Roger Clarke is a leading member of one of the gangs of Gordon House which has alternated in government for more than half a century and shaped Jamaica's political life for more than 70 years. He is a vice-president emeritus of the People's National Party (PNP), the Opposition, and is that party's shadow minister of agriculture. Indeed, Mr Clarke managed that portfolio during the PNP's last administration without great distinction, although he was no disaster.
We make these observations about Mr Clarke not out of bloody-mindedness, or, as we have noted, animosity towards the former minister. Rather, he serves as a symbol of how the political parties continue to fail to grasp opportunities to transform themselves from the culture of gangs - closed institutions pursuing narrow interests.
The Throne Speech by the governor general, setting out the administration's priorities for the next 12 months, followed by the presentation of the Budget, marks the start of the parliamentary year. Governments try to use the process to suggest a fresh start, or a sense of renewal.
We had hoped that this year, the attempt would be genuine, and that the Opposition would use the Budget Debate to indicate a remaking of itself.
path of succession
In other words, the PNP, whoever it chose to speak in the debate, would signal that it was a party of fresh ideas; that it was mapping a clear path of succession; that it was creating a new context to leadership.
But last week, after the opening of the debate by the finance minister, Mr Audley Shaw, it was announced that the PNP's interventions would come from its shadow finance minister, Dr Omar Davies, who held the job for 14 years; its leader, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, and Mr Clarke.
We concede Dr Davies for the fact that he continues to be the party's spokesman on finance, although we believe, as we have said before, based on what he has achieved in his parliamentary constituency, he would make an excellent education minister.
We could not deny Mrs Simpson Miller her right to speak. Well ... she is the leader.
Unfortunately, his bonhomie notwithstanding, we can find no excuse to entertain Roger Clarke.
Frankly, we believe the PNP would have done better to showcase during the Budget Debate some of its younger parliamentarians, who, without hubris, have demonstrated thoughtfulness during their interventions in the House and its various committees. There are not many of them, but the handful includes Lisa Hanna, Morais Guy, Fitz Jackson and Fenton Ferguson.
It is not too late for the PNP to make amends if the party's leadership is serious about reform, which, in the circumstance, would make them look past perceived embarrassment. What Mrs Simpson Miller should look at, if she does the right things, are the potential returns.
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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