Changing the political game

Dennie Quill, Guest Columnist

I have a bet going that Everald Warmington will be duly nominated as the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for South West St Catherine today and that he will be returned to Parliament with an even larger majority, either because the apparent adoration of his constituents remains intact or they believe he is justified in repeatedly rebuffing the media.

I do not believe any protest, however vigorous, by media and civil society, who have been outraged by Mr Warmington's dispiriting continuation of abuse of the press, will influence the JLP to withdraw his candidacy.

However, the party should be alerted by the level of public angst about Mr Warmington's behaviour as an indication that citizens are tired of business as usual. This fallout comes at a time when all around the world there is a push for political reform.

Here we have another example of political expediency versus decent government. Indeed, it is clear that Mr Warmington's resignation was part of a careful strategy to claim legitimacy by the JLP Government that has been troubled by dual-citizenship challenges.

Lack of civility in house

Mr Warmington has claimed his own space on the national stage for being capable of shocking outbursts in the House of Representatives. To be fair, he is not alone. Brawling, name-calling, grandstanding and finger-pointing are regularly observed in the House of Representatives among men and women who refuse to grow up - juveniles, if you please. They tease, deceive and taunt. Conflict between Government and Opposition is a staple of the political system, but is it too much to expect civility from both sides?

Subjects of Mr Warmington's wrath within and outside Parliament have often found themselves on the end of a volley of verbal abuse. Last week, the media felt Mr Warmington's sting, and they are fighting back.

When Mr Warmington was elected in 2007, he was a US citizen, like other parliamentary colleagues who sit hypocritically on either side of the aisle. So far, four JLP MPs who were challenged in court by the Opposition were booted and have reclaimed their seats in by-elections. Mr Warmington, who characterised his action as "principled" - I guess because he resigned without being taken to court - was offensive in his response to media queries.

Land of what if

At times like these, I tend to journey off to the land of What If, where they have found the cure for abusive and corrupt public officials.

What if our political representatives sought to serve all the citizens of Jamaica instead of narrow partisan interests? What if our politicians refused to empower dons by embracing them as area leaders? What if politicians could be counted on to do the right thing and step aside when their integrity is questioned? What if we saw the Manatt enquiry for what it is - the cumulative effect of years of garrison politics? What if we paid greater attention to the misery created by FINSAC? What if we could eliminate the smoke and mirrors employed by our politicians?

The answer is that the impunity enjoyed by abusive and corrupt politicians would not be so deeply entrenched in our country. Men and women of integrity would occupy the seats in Gordon House. Indeed, we would have a more peaceful society. Oh, for utopia on earth.

Dennie Quill is a veteran media practitioner. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and denniequill@hotmail.com.