Political renaissance needed

There was a time when Jamaica had no viable political party in opposition. For years, the People's National Party (PNP) cruised repeatedly back into power because the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) sabotaged itself again and again. It appeared as if a complacent PNP felt secure in the belief that, in spite of the various scandals, shortcomings and mistakes, voters would stick to the evil they knew.

Articulate promises and a vision of a new political paradigm from a revitalised JLP trumped frustration with corruption and stale PNP governance. However, once a paper-thin margin put the JLP at the helm, the dream segued into a nightmare of politics as usual (a bilious collection of corruption, arrogance, broken promises, lies, dark secrets, incompetence, expensive miscalculations, incessant finger-pointing and irrefutable bias). In certain respects, this administration has managed to perform well, but, between the worldwide financial crisis (that this administration terribly underestimated); a confirmation that, as far as politicking goes, its six of one and half a dozen of the other; and the monumentally disappointing extradition debacle, this administration is in dire straits going into the next general election.

Although the JLP has been sullied by several, extremely serious and embarrassing matters, the PNP has been demonstrating a lack of readiness to retake the helm. The sting of its misplaced self-assurance has not worn off, and the old-style politics reminiscent of how elected officials treat grass roots voters that clamour for politicians to "let off sup'm" remains. The unpleasant odour of scandals and muddles still hangs over the PNP camp. Therefore, the reshuffle of the shadow Cabinet was a necessary and timely move.

Shifting davies crucial

To be perfectly frank, I don't believe that the average Jamaican voter cares too much about who went where, as long as Dr Davies was moved from finance. Given the enduring negativism of the 1990s financial meltdown and the perpetual toxicity of FINSAC, the PNP had little choice but to put someone else in charge of matters related to finance. To retain the minister in charge at the time of the meltdown in that position would have been political suicide. Although it is somewhat unfair, the acronym FINSAC is now entrenched in the Jamaican lexicon as a synonym for incompetence, catastrophic loss and suffering.

Another wise move was to bring Dr Peter Phillips into more prominence as the new spokesperson for finance, planning and the public service. Dr Phillips' presence and involvement are crucial to the survival of the PNP at this time. The long-serving, expressive, sometimes fiery, people-person personality of Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has endeared her to many (especially women, and working-class supporters).

The JLP's greatest asset

However, many feel that she lacks several other attributes needed to make a fitting prime minister in these complicated times of constantly streaming, multidimensional international interfacing. It takes an exceptional mind to cope beyond the insularity of local politics and limited adeptness in international affairs. Consequently, some JLP stalwarts half-jokingly refer to the leader of the Opposition as the JLP's greatest asset.

Whatever else the JLP and the PNP choose to do, for the sake of a vibrant democracy and an urgently needed political renaissance, they must raise the bar and rise above the accustomed unpleasantness of Jamaican politics. The parties need to eschew the many negatives associated with politicking and solemnly resolve to adhere to it. The players within both major political parties are similar, and so are their ideologies. What we need is a commitment to administer without political bias and corruption. Certainly, we are not asking too much.

Garth A. Rattray is a physician with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.