People power

Garth Rattray, Contributor

As I watched and listened to Prime Minister (PM) Golding reciting his prepared speech to the nation (May 17, 2010), it became obvious that his new, contrite and apologetic demeanour came about because of the power of the people who put serious and unrelenting pressure on him, the Government and the Jamaica Labour Party.

The speech began with an admission of having wronged the nation by not telling the entire truth regarding his and his party's involvement in the Christopher Coke extradition matter. He was eloquent and convincing in his appeal for forgiveness. However, he quickly skimmed over the part where he reported that the authorisation would be given to proceed with the extradition matter.

The PM's speech somehow segued into a rehashing of the same promises made during the election campaign of 2007 that allowed his party to win the right to govern the country by the narrowest of margins. The 'to do' list has gathered dust over the past two years and eight months, yet it was re-presented to the people, perhaps in the hope that doing so would remind them of the Bruce Golding the country put its trust in.

seeking truth, explanations

My antennae for truth and sincerity went up and twitched wildly because those past, as yet unaddressed, manifesto promises were irrelevant to the present imbroglio and, like Christopher Coke's lawyer, Tom Tavares-Finson, I wondered why the minister of justice, "in consideration of all the factors", could now suddenly allow the very vexing extradition issue to proceed to the courts. It was more than perplexing, it begged for an explanation; but none was forthcoming, and neither was an explanation as to why openness and honesty did not prevail before.

Although the speech was repentant and apologetic and compromising and all that, it left us wondering if the PM was genuine or an exemplary thespian delivering an encore performance. For all our sakes (including his), I sincerely hope that he meant every word that he said, but only time will tell. The

Television Jamaica coverage of this unprecedented event moved smoothly into a panel discussion chaired by Milton Walker with Robert Stephens, Mrs Yvonne McCalla-Sobers and Professor Brian Meeks participating.

'shaking sense' into the pm

All the commentators were astute, fair and open but, most of all, I liked listening to Mrs McCalla-Sobers because she was passionate and forthright in her observations and remarks. Her assertion that it was the concerted outcry of our wounded and disappointed citizens that shook some sense into our chief servant (my words) echoed my own sentiment and, of course, I believe that it was quite accurate.

As she pointed out, we have a history of electing people to govern but then we depend on them to do what they promised during their electioneering and to do what they think is best for us (which is naïve). As she said repeatedly, we, the people, must become more involved in our own governance and carefully monitor our elected officials and hold them to performance timelines.

It took a feeling of arrogant betrayal to stir the fire within our citizens and, had the PM continued on the path that he was on, by now we would all be smelling the smoke of his crash and burn. I don't know why or precisely when his good sense was resurrected but, thank goodness it was.

Now that we have the respect and attention of the Government, now that they know that we have them under the microscope we must apply similar pressure, especially regarding crime, violence, corruption and the politici-sation of governance.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Feedback may be sent to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.