Dear Editor,
In the 2015 Miss Universe Jamaica contest, the eventual winner made an “understandable” but messy reply to the question posed to her by the master of ceremonies about imagining being trapped in an elevator together with the Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness. Peace between the opposing political parties, of which the aforementioned two are respective leaders, was the idea behind the beauty contestant’s answer. Gestures are all well and good, but gestures mean little to nothing as “olive branches”, they are mere patronising instruments and drama-type entertainment to the public.
If we are to become really serious about political peace and a maturing form of governance, we have to explore the possibility of a bipartisan Cabinet of ministers, even if it’s just at the junior minister level or for positions such as permanent secretaries. Undoubtedly, with our culture of politics, with no acceptance of a middle ground or an “unpopular” vote in Parliament, this would require new legislation. Based on the fact that Alexander Bustamante had included an independent political candidate in his Cabinet after purposefully not contesting that particular constituency seat, is testimony that it can be done. Also, the occasional, but frequent enough switching of party allegiance by members of parliament indicates that there is room for progress in this matter.
We have to eventually break these “bad links” in the chain of democracy, namely the placement of party loyalty over loyalty to the Jamaican people, and the tolerance of complacency of those to whom we give the power of leadership and service, and mend them with better ones. We have to allow our most suitable and willing to serve the nation, regardless of “politics” or demographics. This would surely help to lift the standard and philosophy of our politics, and give more hope, opportunity and appeal to those who want to do better than what they are presently doing. In whom, though, shall we find another Bustamante?
Andre O Sheppy
Norwood, St James
strangely@outlook.com
In the 2015 Miss Universe Jamaica contest, the eventual winner made an “understandable” but messy reply to the question posed to her by the master of ceremonies about imagining being trapped in an elevator together with the Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness. Peace between the opposing political parties, of which the aforementioned two are respective leaders, was the idea behind the beauty contestant’s answer. Gestures are all well and good, but gestures mean little to nothing as “olive branches”, they are mere patronising instruments and drama-type entertainment to the public.
If we are to become really serious about political peace and a maturing form of governance, we have to explore the possibility of a bipartisan Cabinet of ministers, even if it’s just at the junior minister level or for positions such as permanent secretaries. Undoubtedly, with our culture of politics, with no acceptance of a middle ground or an “unpopular” vote in Parliament, this would require new legislation. Based on the fact that Alexander Bustamante had included an independent political candidate in his Cabinet after purposefully not contesting that particular constituency seat, is testimony that it can be done. Also, the occasional, but frequent enough switching of party allegiance by members of parliament indicates that there is room for progress in this matter.
We have to eventually break these “bad links” in the chain of democracy, namely the placement of party loyalty over loyalty to the Jamaican people, and the tolerance of complacency of those to whom we give the power of leadership and service, and mend them with better ones. We have to allow our most suitable and willing to serve the nation, regardless of “politics” or demographics. This would surely help to lift the standard and philosophy of our politics, and give more hope, opportunity and appeal to those who want to do better than what they are presently doing. In whom, though, shall we find another Bustamante?
Andre O Sheppy
Norwood, St James
strangely@outlook.com