Editorial | Devise mechanism for choosing names

This is one of those occasions when Everald Warmington got it right. Or, mostly so.

When politicians are sent to Parliament it is after they, of their own accord, have applied for the job of representing their constituents, for which they undergo intensive scrutiny, usually in the form of election campaign/campaigns. They do so fully aware that, up to now, the pay is little, with few post-employment entitlements. Further, the security of the job is really the whim of voters. Or, as Mr Warmington, a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) parliamentarian, implies, “the job is its own reward”.

“We have the privilege to represent the people of Jamaica,” the member of parliament (MP) told his colleagues in the House this week. “So, they owe us nothing to name anything after us.”

The absence of obligation notwithstanding, the matter that elicited Mr Warmington’s remark again highlights the need for a transparent mechanism, with defined and agreed criteria, for the naming of public places and infrastructure.

Such an arrangement would limit, if not end, the controversies and the accompanying embarrassment to families of the usually deceased honorees, such as the one this week over Parliament’s approval of the renaming of the Ferris Cross to Mackfield road in the parish of Westmoreland for Sir Clifford Campbell, Jamaica’s second post-Independence governor general and the first Jamaican to hold the post. Sir Clifford served in Jamaica’s pre-independence legislature from 1944 to 1962, before succeeding Englishman Sir Kenneth Blackburne as governor general.

In Jamaica’s often-tribal political culture, the name of Clifford Campbell, who died nearly three decades ago, is not one that usually invites controversy. He, however, couldn’t escape it on Tuesday with the Government’s motion in the House.

Opposition parliamentarians lobbied instead for Roger Clarke, the late, affable Central Westmorland MP and agriculture minister, who had campaigned for the road’s development. Mr Clarke died five years ago, before the approximately US$25-million project started.

In the end, the Government’s majority won.

Unfortunately, it is not the first time that such a controversy has arisen. And neither is it an infrequent happening. Only two years ago, opposition members were vehement against the naming of the North-South leg of Highway 2000, between Kingston and Ocho Rios, in honour of former, and now deceased, JLP Prime Minister Edward Seaga.

Mr Seaga, the opposition argued, was vehemently against the road’s construction. The Government reminded of Mr Seaga’s influence in Ocho Rios’ development.

SELECTION POLICY

This newspaper isn’t against places being named in honour of politicians, but is concerned at the seeming almost default to the political realm when such opportunities arise. Rarely, for instance, are private-sector leaders or academics considered for such accolades, thus limiting the chances for celebrating these areas of national life.

We agree with Andre Hylton of the People’s National Party that, by now, there should be a settled policy for how, and when, important projects are named for people – not just politicians.

The issue should, insofar as possible, be removed from partisan consideration.

At least, when names are being considered, they should be announced beforehand, the basis of the choices declared, and the public given a chance to comment ahead of the final decision.

In such a circumstance, not only will public officials be pressured into making the best, rather than the partisan, choice, but their decisions are more likely to be met with popular acclaim. And there will be fewer first grabs for political names.