Holness for the job

Suzanne Leslie- Bailey, GUEST COLUMNIST

Andrew Holness' political life reads like a book which could be titled 'A Man on a Mission' - a mission of service, and to become prime minister of Jamaica, in order to secure a better way of life for our people.

Andrew Holness is no ordinary man! He wrestled from the tight grasp of the People's National Party (PNP), the West Central St. Andrew constituency; and had to fight tooth and nail to be eventually declared the victor.

Since assuming the reins of leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), the road has been rocky. However, even when the deck is stacked against him, Andrew Holness does not retreat or surrender.

A man on a mission does not wait to be pushed and boosted by words that may sound something like this: "Gwaan tru', my man, a your time now. You nu see sey him lose the election? Help rebuild which party (kiss teet')? This is the time to strike!"

A man on a mission would, instead, be driven by his own sense of purpose and knowledge of the task that must be done, whether favour is on his side or not!

I feel compelled to make reference to former Barbadian Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, who had a vision of economic prosperity for his country and was not afraid to take austerity measures during the early 1990s to ensure this.

While things may not have ended well politically for Sandiford, he can take comfort in the knowledge that he placed Barbados on solid economic footing and history has absolved him. I am impressed by his poignant words: "I think that the price that I paid was small in comparison to the good that came to the country."

I see some similarities between Mr Holness and Mr Sandiford. Andrew Holness has a vision of economic prosperity for Jamaica, attainable through comprehensive tax reform, a strengthened and extended social-protection system, greater public-sector efficiency and productivity, among other things. His vision also extends to a transformed political process, where truth and dignity take centre stage.

We know the political price Mr Holness paid when he veered off the old and worn path of political expediency and levelled with the Jamaican people, about the 'bitter medicine' that would have to be taken to get Jamaica on the right track. This, however, is where Mr Holness parts company with Sandiford, as I am confident that Mr Holness will enjoy a longer political tenure.

The issue of former National Democratic Movement (NDM) members leaving and then re-entering the JLP has been a sore point for a long time and has resurfaced in this JLP leadership contest. Let me state for the record that I have no objections to former NDM members returning to the JLP, as I believe it is the right of any person to chart their own political course. However, I want to compare Mr Holness' own style and actions.

Mr Holness was not distracted by the noise and confusion that beset the JLP during the 1990s. He remained dedicated, stayed the course and rode the troubled tide.

I encourage persons to have confidence in Andrew Holness' focused and strategic approach. After all, it took him to a place in history, as Jamaica's youngest prime minister at age 39! Of course, some will cynically say that the position was handed to him on a platter.

The then 39-year-old Holness was leaps ahead in public-opinion polls, as the best-performing minister of government and person to succeed former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, when compared to any of the potential contenders - forcing them to retreat.

This overwhelming public endorsement was because of Mr Holness' hard work, impressive performance, dignified style and not-to-be-under-estimated strategy.

Rest assured, Andrew Michael Holness will be Jamaica's next prime minister and, with the help of a loyal and committed team, will positively transform the political, economic and social landscape of this country. He will then be able to say: "Mission accomplished!"

Suzanne Leslie-Bailey is a former research coordinator to then Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and svclb@msn.com.