Dear Editor
It gives cause for hope that Andrew Holness, the leader of the successful Jamaica Labour Party in the general election, has declared that it will not be business as usual and that Jamaicans should hold his new Administration to account.
The voting results demand that there should be meaningful changes in the way the administration of the country’s business is conducted. The dissaffection of the people is demonstrated by the fact that more than half of the qualified voters considered that the political parties, by their performance and promises, did not merit their votes. Apart from 1983, when the People’s National Party did not contest the election, the voter turnout on this occasion is the lowest since the introduction of universal adult suffrage. This high level of voter apathy is because of dissatisfaction with the manner in which the business of government has been conducted.
There will be immediate tests as to whether for the new Government it will be business as usual. The first is whether we continue to have an oversized Cabinet with consequential multiplication of administrative personnel, costs and facilities, with consequential burdens on the already overburdened citizens.
The second test is whether heads and members of statutory bodies, and consultants, are selected on the basis of party allegiance or the perceived need to reward party faithfuls and not on the basis of qualifications, ability, and experience.
The third test is whether the Government will provide leadership in divesting Jamaica of the remaining trappings of imperialism and colonialism.
The way in which the new Government responds to these three tests will determine for many Jamaicans whether or not it is business as usual.
Lloyd G Barnett
Attorney-at-law
Kingston
dr.lgbarnett@gmail.com
It gives cause for hope that Andrew Holness, the leader of the successful Jamaica Labour Party in the general election, has declared that it will not be business as usual and that Jamaicans should hold his new Administration to account.
The voting results demand that there should be meaningful changes in the way the administration of the country’s business is conducted. The dissaffection of the people is demonstrated by the fact that more than half of the qualified voters considered that the political parties, by their performance and promises, did not merit their votes. Apart from 1983, when the People’s National Party did not contest the election, the voter turnout on this occasion is the lowest since the introduction of universal adult suffrage. This high level of voter apathy is because of dissatisfaction with the manner in which the business of government has been conducted.
There will be immediate tests as to whether for the new Government it will be business as usual. The first is whether we continue to have an oversized Cabinet with consequential multiplication of administrative personnel, costs and facilities, with consequential burdens on the already overburdened citizens.
The second test is whether heads and members of statutory bodies, and consultants, are selected on the basis of party allegiance or the perceived need to reward party faithfuls and not on the basis of qualifications, ability, and experience.
The third test is whether the Government will provide leadership in divesting Jamaica of the remaining trappings of imperialism and colonialism.
The way in which the new Government responds to these three tests will determine for many Jamaicans whether or not it is business as usual.
Lloyd G Barnett
Attorney-at-law
Kingston
dr.lgbarnett@gmail.com