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Joan Gordon-Webley should step aside
Monday, April 30, 2007
Believe it or not, Jamaica has come a long way in terms of its political maturity over the last 27 years.
Those old enough to remember recognise that our island nation came uncomfortably close to civil war in the build-up to the 1980 elections.
Back then most of 800 reported murders were attributed to political violence involving the supporters of our two main political parties, the People's National Party (PNP)and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Such was the atmosphere of hate, spite and bitter antagonism, the recent 'Jezebel' remark aimed at the nation's prime minister would have been just another among a litany flying from side to side.
Thankfully, our political leaders in the aftermath of the 1980 election recognised that they had taken the country too close to the edge. They plotted a course that has gradually taken us back to a position of relative good sense, calm and decency in our party political activities and relationships.
Institutional arrangements such as that which embraces the political ombudsman are intended to ensure that we never again return to the dark days of 27 years ago.
Of course, in moving away from the old-time politics, our political leaders weren't merely motivated by the national interest. In a narrow sense, it had much to do with enlightened self-interest. It became quite evident a long time ago that the majority of well-thinking Jamaicans had grown sick, weary and tired of the vulgarity to which political campaigning and contests had descended.
It's no accident that so many Jamaicans hold politics and its practitioners in contempt and absolutely refuse to participate in the process.
It is against that entire backdrop, that Mrs Gordon-Webley's 'Jezebel' remark must be viewed. We do not know what really and truly tempted her to descend to such a level. But whatever it was, we believe it is fair to say it was a throwback to the politics of the '70s and '80s.
There is another element that would have influenced Mr Karl Samuda - a calm, astute and experienced politician - to do what we believe was the correct thing, when he apologised for the remark on behalf of the Opposition.
He and the entire leadership of the JLP would have long ago concluded that the way to beat the ruling PNP in upcoming elections should not include attacks that can in any way be construed as 'personal' on that party's leader.
Quite simply, Mrs Simpson Miller is much too popular and held in too much esteem by too many Jamaicans for that approach to make sense. In truth, a competent Opposition shouldn't need to get personal. After 18 years of continuous PNP governance, there are more than enough issues of national interest for the JLP to get its teeth into.
All of the above would have been whizzing through the mind of Mr Samuda as he made that sensible decision to apologise.
If Mrs Gordon-Webley - who was out of the picture for a time, while living in Grenada - cannot understand and appreciate the new paradigm, it means she is out of step with the political realities of 2007. In which case, she should step aside or be respectfully asked to do so.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Believe it or not, Jamaica has come a long way in terms of its political maturity over the last 27 years.
Those old enough to remember recognise that our island nation came uncomfortably close to civil war in the build-up to the 1980 elections.
Back then most of 800 reported murders were attributed to political violence involving the supporters of our two main political parties, the People's National Party (PNP)and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Such was the atmosphere of hate, spite and bitter antagonism, the recent 'Jezebel' remark aimed at the nation's prime minister would have been just another among a litany flying from side to side.
Thankfully, our political leaders in the aftermath of the 1980 election recognised that they had taken the country too close to the edge. They plotted a course that has gradually taken us back to a position of relative good sense, calm and decency in our party political activities and relationships.
Institutional arrangements such as that which embraces the political ombudsman are intended to ensure that we never again return to the dark days of 27 years ago.
Of course, in moving away from the old-time politics, our political leaders weren't merely motivated by the national interest. In a narrow sense, it had much to do with enlightened self-interest. It became quite evident a long time ago that the majority of well-thinking Jamaicans had grown sick, weary and tired of the vulgarity to which political campaigning and contests had descended.
It's no accident that so many Jamaicans hold politics and its practitioners in contempt and absolutely refuse to participate in the process.
It is against that entire backdrop, that Mrs Gordon-Webley's 'Jezebel' remark must be viewed. We do not know what really and truly tempted her to descend to such a level. But whatever it was, we believe it is fair to say it was a throwback to the politics of the '70s and '80s.
There is another element that would have influenced Mr Karl Samuda - a calm, astute and experienced politician - to do what we believe was the correct thing, when he apologised for the remark on behalf of the Opposition.
He and the entire leadership of the JLP would have long ago concluded that the way to beat the ruling PNP in upcoming elections should not include attacks that can in any way be construed as 'personal' on that party's leader.
Quite simply, Mrs Simpson Miller is much too popular and held in too much esteem by too many Jamaicans for that approach to make sense. In truth, a competent Opposition shouldn't need to get personal. After 18 years of continuous PNP governance, there are more than enough issues of national interest for the JLP to get its teeth into.
All of the above would have been whizzing through the mind of Mr Samuda as he made that sensible decision to apologise.
If Mrs Gordon-Webley - who was out of the picture for a time, while living in Grenada - cannot understand and appreciate the new paradigm, it means she is out of step with the political realities of 2007. In which case, she should step aside or be respectfully asked to do so.