EDITORIAL - You should shuffle, PM

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has rejected as "false" recent speculation, including by this newspaper, that a shuffle of her Cabinet is imminent.

"The prime minister and her team remain focused on the national growth and development agenda and will not be distracted by such reports," Mrs Simpson Miller's office said in a statement.

That she and her ministers are, ostensibly, paying attention to their jobs is, on the face of it, encouraging. But it is not good enough.

The real issue is whether the current crop is doing, or capable of dong, the job effectively, especially in the context of the enormous challenges Jamaica faces.

It is against that background that we are disappointed with the PM's statement, especially if it is a statement of real intent, rather than a ploy to deflect current speculation. For the truth is that after 15 months, the Simpson Miller administration is in need of new energy and expertise - a fundamental makeover.

Indeed, at their last retreat in March, we urged ministers to save Mrs Simpson Miller some of the capital that, of necessity, has to be expended when such things are done by resigning en bloc, thus giving a free hand to restructure the Government. They didn't listen.

There are two obvious reasons why there should be a restructuring of the political executive - not merely the Cabinet. The first of these is for Dr Omar Davies' "optics" - cutting a bloated Government as signal to the Jamaican people that in a time of austerity, the administration is sharing in the hardships.

Second, and more important, is to eject from the executive full ministers and deputies who are either long since passed their prime, are short on energy or lack the talent to effectively formulate and/or execute policies to fix Jamaica's economic and social crises.

GOV'T MUST GO IN CRISIS MODE

Indeed, the implementation of the economic reform programme that has been provisionally agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aimed at reducing the country's staggering debt and gross fiscal imbalance, will demand sharp, concentrated focus and stout leadership. At the same time, it will require creative initiatives to entice investment and growth. Often, the policy demands will seem headed in contrary directions, their resolution demanding intellect and talent.

In other words, Mrs Simpson Miller must put her government in crisis mode and structure a government to match the circumstance. Given the dearth of talent she has on the back benches, this will mean Mrs Simpson Miller having to look outside the existing legislature for personnel. That, fortuitously, is not an overly difficult hurdle.

Constitutionally, Mrs Simpson Miller can appoint four ministers from the Senate. She has utilised three. Except for Mark Golding, the justice minister, whose portfolio should be changed, the others would not be missed if they were gone.

In her own office, Mrs Simpson Miller should unburden herself of the three full but non-portfolio ministers who add little value to her government. She could also, without a noticeable ripple, rid the Government of the minister of local government and his deputy, as well as the ministers of labour, water and agriculture. As a start, she might rid herself of an embarrassment named Richard Azan, the minister of state in the transport, housing and works ministry, unless he can find the courage to pre-empt his firing.

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.