Dear Editor,
The crisis of leadership in the People’s National Party (PNP) makes interesting study as it brings into view the need for strategic succession planning that will not lead to leaders going into diminishing, anticlimactic mode.
Let’s pick up the story from Michael Manley.
The Manley/Edward Seaga era was one of keen intellect and the splendid parading of oratorical prowess. Indeed, those were “the best of times, (and) the worst of times”. Fate was kind to Manley in that his exit from the stage coincided conveniently with him occupying the seat of power. His was an “honourable” exit; this was good for his ego — some would say dignity.
Now, although it was entirely possible for Seaga to have been blinded by an insatiable greed for power, I rather believe that he knew his time had come but only desired an exit that rivalled that of his perennial opponent. He waited for his winning a last election, but it never came. It looked like someone on stage who had forgotten his/her lines. In cricketing terms, you’d say a “soft dismissal” — not good for the ego.
P J Patterson exited after near two decades of dominance — arguably the most successful politician this country has seen in terms of winning elections. He, like Manley, was afforded a “dignified” departure.
Enter Portia Simpson Miller. Although full of promise, complete with the prospect of winning the heart of the nation, who wanted to see her do well, she had obvious ability issues. She never did quite command the respect of her party, and seemed only to have succeeded in retaining power because of party principles. You know, David’s “Touch not the Lord’s anointed” statement?
Mind you, her ascendency to the head of her party was not without merit. She had strong social collateral that did, for a time, woo the nation, and her party may have disingenuously sought to exploit this collateral. But she has totally exhausted her social capital, and foreclosure proceedings must commence forthwith. A new party leader must now be found.
The PNP must take the time to correct inherent challenges (not excluding succession planning), even as it must offer a way into the new approach to the practise of politics in Jamaica. For believe it or not, we’re still in the old mould. Economic growth, though vitally important, isn’t the end-all of building a nation.
Unfortunately Simpson Miller will not be afforded the graceful exit she would much prefer; her time has come and will no longer be put off. Party loyalty must take a secondary seat to patriotism; support of a party must only be in so far as it will advance the country.
As such, then, I do look forward to the new and improved PNP — leader and all.
Charles Evans
charles.evans@ncu.edu.jm
The crisis of leadership in the People’s National Party (PNP) makes interesting study as it brings into view the need for strategic succession planning that will not lead to leaders going into diminishing, anticlimactic mode.
Let’s pick up the story from Michael Manley.
The Manley/Edward Seaga era was one of keen intellect and the splendid parading of oratorical prowess. Indeed, those were “the best of times, (and) the worst of times”. Fate was kind to Manley in that his exit from the stage coincided conveniently with him occupying the seat of power. His was an “honourable” exit; this was good for his ego — some would say dignity.
Now, although it was entirely possible for Seaga to have been blinded by an insatiable greed for power, I rather believe that he knew his time had come but only desired an exit that rivalled that of his perennial opponent. He waited for his winning a last election, but it never came. It looked like someone on stage who had forgotten his/her lines. In cricketing terms, you’d say a “soft dismissal” — not good for the ego.
P J Patterson exited after near two decades of dominance — arguably the most successful politician this country has seen in terms of winning elections. He, like Manley, was afforded a “dignified” departure.
Enter Portia Simpson Miller. Although full of promise, complete with the prospect of winning the heart of the nation, who wanted to see her do well, she had obvious ability issues. She never did quite command the respect of her party, and seemed only to have succeeded in retaining power because of party principles. You know, David’s “Touch not the Lord’s anointed” statement?
Mind you, her ascendency to the head of her party was not without merit. She had strong social collateral that did, for a time, woo the nation, and her party may have disingenuously sought to exploit this collateral. But she has totally exhausted her social capital, and foreclosure proceedings must commence forthwith. A new party leader must now be found.
The PNP must take the time to correct inherent challenges (not excluding succession planning), even as it must offer a way into the new approach to the practise of politics in Jamaica. For believe it or not, we’re still in the old mould. Economic growth, though vitally important, isn’t the end-all of building a nation.
Unfortunately Simpson Miller will not be afforded the graceful exit she would much prefer; her time has come and will no longer be put off. Party loyalty must take a secondary seat to patriotism; support of a party must only be in so far as it will advance the country.
As such, then, I do look forward to the new and improved PNP — leader and all.
Charles Evans
charles.evans@ncu.edu.jm