Dear Editor,
Our general election is now behind us and, as a consequence, a new Government has been formed.
In my opinion, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) — which now forms the Government — was ineffective and a failure from 2012 to 2016 . Were that party to have been judged solely on its performance during that period, it certainly would not deserve the victory and the mandate to govern Jamaica.
Similarly, the People’s National Party (PNP), which served as the governing party for the same period (2012-2016), appeared to work tirelessly to be booted from office. Its commendable achievements with the economy and education were overshadowed by its failures in national security, health, transparency, and demonstration of very poor leadership from its head.
Therefore, neither of our two major political parties deserved to be elected. However, my father, who was a politician at different stages in his life, both in his victories and defeats and that of the party to which he belonged, held the very strong belief that “the people always get it right” with the selection of their leaders. And I would add that the people may have got it right, but it is those they have elected who go on to get it all wrong, or possibly misunderstand the expectations of their electors.
We now have a Government that must govern with a very slim majority. Is the message from the electorate that Jamaica needs a coalition-type Government or, as others have proposed, a Government made up of the best of the elected members of both political parties?
As attractive a proposition as this may be, and one that could possibly address the problem of the tribal political nature of our country, we must ask whether our politics are mature enough to make this work. Wouldn’t it create a somewhat one-party Government (made up of JLP and PNP members); whither the Opposition? Who would then stand up and protect the people from the awesome powers of the Government?
Whatever the outcome, it is hoped that, this time, the members elected to Gordon House will not treat it as an elitist club, but a place of work for them to conduct the business of their employers (we the people) with sincerity and transparency.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com
Our general election is now behind us and, as a consequence, a new Government has been formed.
In my opinion, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) — which now forms the Government — was ineffective and a failure from 2012 to 2016 . Were that party to have been judged solely on its performance during that period, it certainly would not deserve the victory and the mandate to govern Jamaica.
Similarly, the People’s National Party (PNP), which served as the governing party for the same period (2012-2016), appeared to work tirelessly to be booted from office. Its commendable achievements with the economy and education were overshadowed by its failures in national security, health, transparency, and demonstration of very poor leadership from its head.
Therefore, neither of our two major political parties deserved to be elected. However, my father, who was a politician at different stages in his life, both in his victories and defeats and that of the party to which he belonged, held the very strong belief that “the people always get it right” with the selection of their leaders. And I would add that the people may have got it right, but it is those they have elected who go on to get it all wrong, or possibly misunderstand the expectations of their electors.
We now have a Government that must govern with a very slim majority. Is the message from the electorate that Jamaica needs a coalition-type Government or, as others have proposed, a Government made up of the best of the elected members of both political parties?
As attractive a proposition as this may be, and one that could possibly address the problem of the tribal political nature of our country, we must ask whether our politics are mature enough to make this work. Wouldn’t it create a somewhat one-party Government (made up of JLP and PNP members); whither the Opposition? Who would then stand up and protect the people from the awesome powers of the Government?
Whatever the outcome, it is hoped that, this time, the members elected to Gordon House will not treat it as an elitist club, but a place of work for them to conduct the business of their employers (we the people) with sincerity and transparency.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com