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Unity government ideal for Jamaica
Published: Saturday | December 17, 2011 0 Comments
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Something struck me while I was listening to the second political debate on Thursday, December 15, between Finance Minister Audley Shaw and Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr Peter Phillips.
It dawned on me that there are enough competent, willing and available professionals and others within the two major political parties and, indeed, in civil society for us to begin to talk about and promote seriously a government of national unity.
I believe that this kind of government would benefit Jamaica more than one that is drawn only from one of the two main political entities. Our socio-economic and political history since Independence in 1962 bears me witness.
It is unfortunate that the Westminster model of government that we have inherited, adopted and perpetuated does not encourage this type of governance arrangement. At least, this model has not allowed for this amalgamation of talents for the national good.
more effective model
Why should we have to endure ineffective work from an inept minister who has no background in the area in which he has been asked to play the leading role when we may have persons on the other side who might be able to do a better job?
A government can only appoint a limited number of senators as government ministers, which also robs the Cabinet of much-needed technical expertise and experience.
The frightening pronouncement by Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, that the economic future of the world looks gloomy and that every economy on Earth is at risk throws into sharp focus the urgency of such an approach to governance in Jamaica.
We need to bring together the best heads, hearts, and hands to work in unison with Vision 2030 as their unifying force. We cannot afford to play politics with the future of this country. All stakeholders in both parties, in the private sector, in the Church, and in the diaspora should be brought on-board to help us manoeuvre our way through the potentially devastating economic storms that lie ahead.
EARLMONT WILLIAMS (Rev)
earlmontwilliams@gmail.co
Published: Saturday | December 17, 2011 0 Comments
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Something struck me while I was listening to the second political debate on Thursday, December 15, between Finance Minister Audley Shaw and Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr Peter Phillips.
It dawned on me that there are enough competent, willing and available professionals and others within the two major political parties and, indeed, in civil society for us to begin to talk about and promote seriously a government of national unity.
I believe that this kind of government would benefit Jamaica more than one that is drawn only from one of the two main political entities. Our socio-economic and political history since Independence in 1962 bears me witness.
It is unfortunate that the Westminster model of government that we have inherited, adopted and perpetuated does not encourage this type of governance arrangement. At least, this model has not allowed for this amalgamation of talents for the national good.
more effective model
Why should we have to endure ineffective work from an inept minister who has no background in the area in which he has been asked to play the leading role when we may have persons on the other side who might be able to do a better job?
A government can only appoint a limited number of senators as government ministers, which also robs the Cabinet of much-needed technical expertise and experience.
The frightening pronouncement by Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, that the economic future of the world looks gloomy and that every economy on Earth is at risk throws into sharp focus the urgency of such an approach to governance in Jamaica.
We need to bring together the best heads, hearts, and hands to work in unison with Vision 2030 as their unifying force. We cannot afford to play politics with the future of this country. All stakeholders in both parties, in the private sector, in the Church, and in the diaspora should be brought on-board to help us manoeuvre our way through the potentially devastating economic storms that lie ahead.
EARLMONT WILLIAMS (Rev)
earlmontwilliams@gmail.co
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