Dear Editor,
It goes without saying that the job of prime minister is not one to trifle with, and most people never ascend to that position without a long dedicated career in politics. During that time, we get to know them, see their decision-making capacity, and they get an opportunity to earn our trust. We must trust them because we are putting our nation and our future in their stewardship and their hands.
Any analysis of the decisions taken by Andrew Holness -- from his disastrous timing of the 2011 General Election to the handling of the aftermath of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leadership race that he won -- will lead to the clear conclusion that he cannot be trusted with the role of prime minister.
Holness's apology on a church platform sounded hollow but acceptable. His filing for an appeal after that apology, knowing full well the clerk of the House had properly asked for direction from the court, indicates duplicity unworthy of trust and credibility.
Leadership is not just about popularity, it is also about capacity to lead and run the country's affairs. The JLP, under Andrew Holness's leadership, cannot be trusted to run Jamaica. Her Majesty's Opposition must be a credible alternative to a sitting Government if this model of governance is to work.
When the people have a real choice the Government is constrained to act with restraint. When a Government feels it can act with impunity, because the Opposition is hapless, we are no longer in a true democracy. We are more likely going to be exposed to tax increases to cover corruption and public waste and even victimisation because we are a nation that has no real choice.
As long as the JLP remains a political party perpetually at war with itself Jamaica has no choice but to retain the People's National Party (PNP) and the stewardship of Portia Simpson Miller. This does not mean there won't be challenges to political leadership. In fact, the PNP has demonstrated that these are possible. However, with proper management they can be handled, and even deep wounds can heal.
A leader's ability to settle these differences and manage his/her political party and have trust placed in him/her by the various contending power groups is important because these are small issues compared to national governance.
Andrew Holness has failed a critical set of tests of judgement. Neither the electorate nor his rank and file delegates can simply ask us to brush these aside as youthful exuberance. If they want our support, they must find a leader we can trust for our sake, and one who is more politically savvy for their sake.
Eliott Penn
Kingston 8
Why Holness should resign
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It goes without saying that the job of prime minister is not one to trifle with, and most people never ascend to that position without a long dedicated career in politics. During that time, we get to know them, see their decision-making capacity, and they get an opportunity to earn our trust. We must trust them because we are putting our nation and our future in their stewardship and their hands.
Any analysis of the decisions taken by Andrew Holness -- from his disastrous timing of the 2011 General Election to the handling of the aftermath of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leadership race that he won -- will lead to the clear conclusion that he cannot be trusted with the role of prime minister.
Holness's apology on a church platform sounded hollow but acceptable. His filing for an appeal after that apology, knowing full well the clerk of the House had properly asked for direction from the court, indicates duplicity unworthy of trust and credibility.
Leadership is not just about popularity, it is also about capacity to lead and run the country's affairs. The JLP, under Andrew Holness's leadership, cannot be trusted to run Jamaica. Her Majesty's Opposition must be a credible alternative to a sitting Government if this model of governance is to work.
When the people have a real choice the Government is constrained to act with restraint. When a Government feels it can act with impunity, because the Opposition is hapless, we are no longer in a true democracy. We are more likely going to be exposed to tax increases to cover corruption and public waste and even victimisation because we are a nation that has no real choice.
As long as the JLP remains a political party perpetually at war with itself Jamaica has no choice but to retain the People's National Party (PNP) and the stewardship of Portia Simpson Miller. This does not mean there won't be challenges to political leadership. In fact, the PNP has demonstrated that these are possible. However, with proper management they can be handled, and even deep wounds can heal.
A leader's ability to settle these differences and manage his/her political party and have trust placed in him/her by the various contending power groups is important because these are small issues compared to national governance.
Andrew Holness has failed a critical set of tests of judgement. Neither the electorate nor his rank and file delegates can simply ask us to brush these aside as youthful exuberance. If they want our support, they must find a leader we can trust for our sake, and one who is more politically savvy for their sake.
Eliott Penn
Kingston 8
Why Holness should resign
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