First things first

[Karl]

First things first
By Frank Phipps
Saturday, September 08, 2007


Prime Minister Bruce Golding has a chance, at last, to prove that he is no flip-flop. Some say he flipped from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and when the NDM flopped, he flipped back to the JLP. The portrayal as flip-flop pursued him throughout the election campaign, but he overcame the image and was elected prime minister.

When Golding left the JLP for the NDM, he issued a call for Constitutional Reform. Many followed him from the JLP and others got involved in politics for the first time, in answer to the call.

He was abused for the move. When the "New and Different" seemed unattainable in the NDM, Bruce left and returned to the JLP - with the understanding that his views on Constitutional Reform would be accommodated. For this, he was again reviled, and vilified as a traitor and a man who cannot be trusted. Was Bruce Golding making only personally convenient shifts or were his moves based on firmly held principles? As prime minister, he has five years to answer that question.

There is no doubt that the Jamaica Constitution needs major surgery. The disease is in the prime minister having too much power, which often frustrates the best interests of the people. How deep the cuts must be, is for the prime minister to decide.

Clearly, democracy is at risk when a prime minister can terminate the life of Parliament at any time and manipulate the date for elections on dubious grounds. This power must go. The authority for a prime minster to appoint other ministers at will, and retain them regardless, must be limited. It will take a bold, fearless, and committed prime minister to dismantle this system and reduce his own powers. Can Bruce Golding do this?

Jamaicans should no longer accept the current practice of allowing Cabinet (headed by the prime minister) to maintain a stranglehold over the people's representatives in Parliament. There must be a clear line of separation between the respective arms of government. Democracy is at risk when Parliament becomes a rubber stamp for the Executive.

Recent events brought about by Hurricane Dean, have shown that the prime minster can suspend Fundamental Rights and Freedoms by declaring a State of Public Emergency. Abuse of this power, along with the provision of relief for the distressed, can be used for naked partisan political purposes, especially at election time. This extent of power must be curtailed.

There is a loud, clear, and continuing call for basic reform to the constitution. The prime minister must lead the charge for change. This is what Bruce Golding promised.

Prime Minister Golding now has the awesome responsibility during his allotted period of five years to initiate Constitutional Reform to ensure primacy of the people. He has to introduce changes to secure their legal, political, and economic rights and freedoms; and he must do what is necessary for their representatives in Parliament to monitor continuously and supervise effectively the performance of his ministers. In this way, at last, questions about trust and confidence will be answered. All things will be added thereafter.

Frank Phipps is an attorney-at-law.

[Farmah]

This Flip-Flop argument has become smelly like 10-day-old urine inna chimmy!

The man had good reasons to pull away from the JLP when he did. Differences and tempers flared as the gang-of-5 (or was it 6?) clashed with the autocratic Eddie. The formation of the NDM was a statement which echoed to Eddie that the men in his party had options. Bruce's eventual return to the JLP was a no-brainer.....who wouldn't! And he did it without singing a Sanky.

Even the great Sir Alexander Bustamante walked away when he disagreed with the direction of the PNP (a party he helped to form, mind you!). And that difference of opinion gave birth to the JLP.

It's time we hop, skip and jump along.....away from the Flip-Flip dribble. It's now stale!

[Willi]

None of them have pristine pasts, so to act like this is a biggie when them all have huge skeletons in their closet is as Mosiah says...Ludicrouth!

They both accepts switchers all the time, so what the fuss about?

Seaga is now lauded by Portia, but they spent the bast part of their careers as members of violently opposing camps.

Eddie destroyed the JLP base with his one-don stance and PJ must have loved him for it. He was the greatest friend to the 1990s PNP. Flawed characters all. The only one I would single out as not being dysfunctional is Daddy Manley.