EDITORIAL - If the PNP is to have a shot

The People's National Party (PNP) will hold its annual conference in a little over a week's time, expecting to use the occasion to launch its march back into government. That's a trek it apparently feels will be relatively easy.

If we read the signals correctly, the PNP rests its expectations on three main factors.

The first of these is the Government's indecorous handling of the United States' bid to extradite alleged cocaine smuggler and drug runner Christopher Coke that has so badly stained Bruce Golding's premiership.

Indeed, Mr Golding and his party are still unable to provide credible explanations for why the administration fought so hard over nine months to frustrate the Americans and why the prime minister - ostensibly in his role of party leader - sanctioned the hiring of high-powered American lobbyists to present a case against the extradition.

Second, Jamaicans are facing hard economic times. The country's poor economic performance over several years was exacerbated by the global financial crisis in 2008 and worsened, in our case, because the Government took too long to comprehend, or concede, the likely impact of the crisis on Jamaica. Jamaica's preparation for the impact was, therefore, late.

Unavoidable fixes

The unavoidable fixes now being undertaken, such as the economic-adjustment programme that is part of a US$1.2-billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund, have meant a public-sector wage freeze and the possible loss of some jobs.

There is also a growing sense of corruption in the Government.

This newspaper, however, would advise the PNP to temper its expectations of an early return to power with a sober dose of reality. Jamaicans may be fed up or unhappy with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), but there are no signs that they are running to the PNP. Recent opinion polls do not suggest this.

These are the primary reasons, we suggest, why this is the case:

The PNP was in office for 18 years and is a known quantity. Economic growth during its incumbency was, at best, anaemic.

Few clear alternatives

The second point is that while the PNP has offered sharp critiques of the administration's policies, it has placed on the table few clear alternatives. The PNP has spoken of something it calls a Progressive Agenda, but that remains woolly and ephemeral.

Then there are the concerns over the PNP's leadership. Serious doubts remain about some of those who would go into, and what roles they would take into government, perchance the party wins the next election. The leadership contests may have ended but the party's political and ministerial configuration, like the Progressive Agenda, remains a fog.

If the PNP hopes to have a serious shot at government, it has to address these matters at its conference.

For instance, Mrs Simpson Miller, the president, has to signal clearly what role Dr Peter Phillips, her former rival, will play in a PNP administration. Additionally, Dr Omar Davies, who served for 14 years as finance minister, continues to shadow that portfolio. Circumstances have changed. New thinking is needed in this job.

We believe that given his passion for the subject and the good things he has done in the constituency that Dr Davies should make a great education minister.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.