Wise move by PNP
Published:Thursday | September 2, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
Portia Simpson Miller, former prime minister and current leader of the People's National Party (PNP) has named a five-member Integrity Commission and announced that "all its members of Parliament and prospective candidates will be assessed by it to determine if they are fit and proper persons to represent the Opposition party." The creation of this commission is wise, not only for the Opposition, but also for the ruling governing party, and I fully support it.
A few months after Mrs Simpson Miller was elected prime minister, I wrote an open letter to The Gleaner outlining a nine-point leadership strategy, necessary for Portia Simpson Miller to transform Jamaica. Below is a section of that 2006 letter.
"Ethical leadership must be central to the Portia Simpson Miller's administration. She must be brave enough to weed out unethical behaviours in all aspects of the Government, by developing her administration's mission, vision, values and criteria for hiring and promoting people. Only those individuals who believe in the announced principles and who behave with integrity should be included in the administration."
I welcome this commission and I hope that Mrs Simpson Miller is serious about its purpose and it is not just for political gamesmanship.
I am, etc.,
HENRY J. FINDLAY