The Opposition we need

Ian Boyne, Contributor

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness is on target in insisting on the Opposition's right to ferret out every corruption, misdeed and abuse of power which could occur under this Government, and in inveighing against policies that might harm the national interest. But he needs to temper his tone and suspend his lectures to the new Government.

There is something inherently indecent and repulsive about his more-than-once reference to preparation to form the next Government. (And, yes, Portia's "worst nightmare" statement right after Bruce Golding won in 2007 was also totally unacceptable). From the night of the election, officials of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) were talking about starting "the campaign for the next Government from tomorrow". Are political parties only about grabbing state power? At least, don't be so vulgar about it!

These government-in-waiting statements by JLP officials remind us that we can't depend on them exclusively to represent our interests. Political parties are, after all, about their own self-perpetuation. That they happen to do some good seems almost coincidental. There is nothing wrong in Holness' urging the new Government not to abandon JLP policies in the interest of the people. I agree with him wholeheartedly that the PNP should not abandon free health care and free tuition. But a progressive party could not be entertaining any such thought.

However, Mr Holness must come to terms with the fact that the people have overwhelmingly voted to have a PNP Government. This does not mean they voted against free health care, free tuition and the number of other fine policies the JLP had in place. They certainly did not vote for a return to high interest rates, high inflation and a sliding dollar. It is one thing to acknowledge that, however, and another to pretend - or posture as if - the PNP has no mandate to rule. It does.

respect people's decision

So let us all accept that. This does not mean this PNP Government can do as it pleases and needs no vigorous Opposition. But it does mean that we truly respect the will of the people, not just say it. If the opposition leader says he accepts the democratic will of the people, but continues to speak in a peremptory tone to the new Government as to suggest he is still prime minister, that will betray any such genuine acceptance. It might be taking some time for Andrew to realise that he has really lost power, but he has to come to terms with it.

In my view, Andrew Holness has a bright political future. He has age on his side. His time will certainly come. Don't rush it. He has started his rebuilding process and has, importantly, begun by giving focus to a media and communications programme. That is absolutely critical and has been badly overdue in the JLP. Andrew has always been ahead of his party in terms of being media savvy and recognising the importance of strategic communications.

His 16-member shadow Cabinet is an indication that he understands the lay of the political land and is responding strategically to the widespread howls of disapproval and disappointment over the prime minister's naming of a larger-than-Golding Cabinet when she had so stridently and vehemently opposed Bruce's 19-member "whatnot". Also, his dumping of former senior Cabinet ministers Mike Henry and Dwight Nelson from his shadow Cabinet - men who are widely believed to have contributed in no small way to the JLP's crushing electoral defeat - shows responsiveness to public disgust.

He has made some good selections and pairing of subjects. One of his best is having Chris Tufton shadowing foreign affairs, trade and investment. Chris is not only bright and competent, but he has been trained in international development issues. He is eminently suited for this portfolio. What he is shadowing is precisely what I think Anthony Hylton, another intellectually sharp politician, should have as his portfolio, but Hylton has assured me that he wanted the ministry he got and will be putting his international law and foreign affairs expertise to full use.

Tufton, in shadowing A.J. Nicholson, will have to know he is engaging with one of the finest debaters in the PNP. Desmond McKenzie has been rightly chosen to speak on urban renewal and rural development - a critical area - as well as local government. Delroy Chuck will quite ably shadow justice, security and electoral matters. Arthur Williams is one of the most likeable and good-natured officials of the JLP and will do well in information, public service and labour.

But even if it meant having a 17-member shadow Cabinet, Pearnel Charles should have been given labour. Williams will do a good job, but at a time when labour issues are likely to become more critical, the highly experienced and charismatic Charles is the man of the hour. Forget this nonsense about age. Pearnel Charles has a lot more left in him, and it is a strategic blunder to leave him out unless he requested it.

Daryl Vaz made the cut into the shadow Cabinet despite his closeness with Golding and the offence and resentment he engendered among his colleagues who envied the access he had to their sometimes aloof party leader. Holness knows he needs Daryl's energy, passion, dedication to detail and hard work. Daryl is no expert on information technology and digital issues, but he learns fast and will do a good job at whatever he puts his mind to.

Holness' mistake

I think Holness made a mistake not to put Karl Samuda back at his old stomping ground of industry and commerce. Karl will do well anywhere, but his heart and soul are in industry and commerce. Gregory Mair, who admittedly knows business, does not have Karl's intimate knowledge of industry and commerce, nor his vast experience as a minister of industry and commerce under both PNP and JLP administrations. I worked closely with Karl in a communications capacity under both JLP and PNP regimes and can attest to his knowledge, interest and drive, whatever Mark Wignall might say because he did not entertain a project Mark has been promoting.

Again, we must, like the electorate, reject this ageist nonsense which some wanted to foist upon the nation, and which I very early on Cliff Hughes' 'Impact' programme stoutly rejected and said openly that the media should not give any support to the JLP propaganda line on. Samuda, like Charles, has more to give and in the area he has worked all his life. If he is somehow disqualified to function in that area, we should be told why.

Why is J.C. Hutchinson in the shadow Cabinet, but not Bobby Montague? It does not make any sense on the surface. Bobby is one of the gems of the JLP.

Kenneth Baugh will do well in health, and his handsome victory at the polls, plus his own expertise in the field, earn him that position. I see that Holness has poverty reduction as a distinct area. I am happy to see that area being singled out for attention, but am quick to point out to him that his neoliberal philosophy of economic development is quite inadequate to tackle poverty reduction.

Incidentally, is Andrew Holness playing some practical joke on us by appointing Everald Warmington to chair the Economy and Production Committee? Is a loud-mouth and a rude tongue the only qualifications for that position? Does Andrew not think anything serious will be discussed there?

I like the other appointments for the parliamentary committees, which are extremely important in broadening our democracy. But our democracy is going to depend on far more than parliamentary Opposition vigilance. It is going to depend a great deal on a vigorous, vibrant and vehement civil society, particularly media.

Some of the most prominent voices in media whom we could depend on to 'tun up di ting' on corruption, lying and arrogance up to December 28 have gone silent in terms of anti-government criticism. And they will remain silent for a long time. And that won't be because we have been ushered into Utopia or the Kingdom of God, where perfect righteousness will reign. It will be because some put party before principle, convenience before conviction.

The country will have to increasingly depend on genuinely independent media analysts committed to ideals over institutions. We will need more Gordon Robinsons, Peter Espeuts, Ronald Masons and Din Duggans who are not afraid to offend all tribalists. That both sides get upset with them is their best qualification to speak at this time. The court prophets will have their place, but there will be need for the wailing prophets - indeed, the Jeremiahs, Isaiahs, Ezekiels, Hoseas, Amoses and the Haggais.

Of course, there is no value in opposing just for the sake of opposition. Civil society and independent analysts have an obligation to support those government programmes genuinely in the interest of the people.

principle and morality

There must be no hesitation, for fear of seeming 'soft', to support this PNP administration when it is standing up for the poor and marginalised; when it is standing on principle and morality and when it is being attacked unfairly by reactionary elements. The PNP's philosophical commitment to the poor and any effort on its part to protect the most vulnerable from austerity measures must be supported.

We need a civil society that is morally courageous. One of the most deplorable forms of corruption, to me, is intellectual corruption. There is too much of it in Jamaica, and it is too commonly accepted as part of 'the runnings' because 'man haffi eat a food'. People sell out their principles to party just to advance personal interests. Some must be prepared to die of starvation for principles. We must attack what is wrong, whoever does it. It is only that spirit which can sustain our democracy.

No amount of proper shadowing of the Cabinet or strategic Senate appointments can compensate for a civil society that is morally compromised. Our democracy is going to depend on people driven by morality, not money; by concern for people, not just profit, and by people who put public interest over private gain. Is our moral compass strong enough to bear the weight of this awesome responsibility?

Ian Boyne is a veteran journalist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and ianboyne1@yahoo.com.