Letter of the Day | A quintessence of the Vale Royal Talks

THE EDITOR, Madam:

For most days of the work week, I would journey down Duke Street in Kingston in an attempt to grab a bite or to utilise the services of one of the financial institutions that is located on that street due to the close proximity of my place of employment.

In doing so, if not all the time, my attention would be easily captured by the excitement of individuals trying to pose for the camera to snap themselves beside a monument of two men sitting on a bench immediately in front of the Electoral Office of Jamaica.

Unbelievably, for days, I pass this happening and was totally oblivious to who these statues represent. Until one day I had an epiphany – they are monuments of two of our National Heroes. Not just any two, but the ones who were attributed to being the founders of the two major political parties of Jamaica – The Right Honourable Sir Alexander Bustamante and The Right Honourable Norman Manley – hence the reason they were placed before the Head Office of the Electoral Office of Jamaica.

While commendation must be given to the sculptor for the fantastic work done in regard to the image of the heroes, what was most amazing to me about this piece of work was what I believe to be the interpretation of the message it was conveying. Two political giants from opposite sides sitting down with their legs crossed in the most relaxing position, smiling with each other as if they were having the best conversation ever.

And the irony about this: it was placed on the outside, exposed to every weather condition. ‘Rain or shine’, the message of unity is being communicated.

Then suddenly, it hits me. This is a quintessence of the Vale Royal Talks.

Our leaders should read this message that is being sent and take heed. Both political parties should be relaxed to the idea of sitting down with each other to talk about matters of importance concerning the people of this nation.

Instead, we have this tension, more to resist the talks than to embrace them. Who are you representing – yourselves or the people of this country?

Vale Royal Talks should not be an option. Something of this importance should be entrenched somewhere in our Constitution and therefore, no Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition should be furnished with the power to decide when or if it happens.

The PNP had called for the resumption of the talks, the Prime Minister signalled his intention to invite the Opposition to the table again. Yes, we hear the talk, yet the ‘Talks’ are not happening.

TIME TO LEAD FROM THE FRONT

The truth is, if these leaders cannot put away their differences and come to the table to deal with what matters, like crime and violence, and other issues that plague our citizens, what moral authority do they have to tell Jamaicans that we must unite for the betterment of the country?

Like the monument, our leaders should withstand any condition to preserve the idea that they can ‘talk it out’, especially issues of national security.

Come on, leaders, it is time to lead from the front. Show Jamaicans that we are placed high above your political aspirations.

Here is a golden opportunity, Mr Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, to begin the year right and sit down together on your benches, cross your legs if you may, and iron out all those non-partisan matters that are affecting your people.

Obviously, you will not agree on everything, but keep the talks going. It’s a good look.

HORACE O. AIKEN, JP (REV)