Do-or-Die Year: Politicians at the brink
Published:Sunday | January 2, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
AN EXTRAORDINARILY absorbing year is in the offing for the political landscape, in the aftermath of the spectacular dramatics of 2010. In what promises to be a highly unpredictable year, many politicians who were featured over the past 12 months are poised to take centre stage once again in 2011.
It is the eve of an election year, constitutionally due in 2012.
The questions swirling around Jamaica and the diaspora that demand answers in 2011 are:
What is the real alternative to the present state of affairs and where does the People's National Party (PNP) intend to lead Jamaica, and in what way?
What is the future for Jamaica since old-style politics is dying?
Dual-citizenship drama
Accordingly, 2011 marks a do-or-die year for Prime Minister Bruce Golding; Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller; Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne, who doubles as attorney general; the fighting Basil Waite; and the pair of Sharon Haye-Webster and Ian Hayles as the tables turn in the dual-citizenship drama.
A cloud hangs over Haye-Webster, in particular, as Jamaicans have demonstrated in the dual-citizenship issue involving Shahine Robinson that they frown on dishonest displays.
After declaring that she would walk away from representational politics, Haye-Webster later reluctantly told The Gleaner last year that she had rescinded her United States (US) citizenship status, after the election.
Golding and some of his senior members are expected to feature in the opening scene in the enquiry into the Government's handling of the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
The Government or Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) engagement with US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and the deadly incursion in West Kingston are to be examined by the Emil George-led commission.
Anticipation is mounting as the public debate rages over whether Golding, Lightbourne, Karl Samuda, the colourful politician who was pressured out as general secretary of the JLP, and Daryl Vaz, who failed to scoop that position in 2010 will fare better in 2011 when they face the three-member commission.
But the inescapable glare will also be focused on Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and the usefulness of the PNP's Integrity Commission, which promises its report on all members of parliament and sundry others early 2011.
Basil Waite emerged as caretaker for North East St Elizabeth but continues to be bedevilled by some allegations, as well as pressure, from Kern Spencer, who remains mysteriously convinced that he has a shot at the seat despite his legal troubles.
Watching Integrity Commission
Some cynical PNP insiders are paying more than passing attention to see whether the Wellesley Blair-chaired Integrity Commission can resolve some knotty issues in the PNP.
Another question to be answered early 2011 is whether reshuffles are on the cards in both Government and Opposition.
Rumours abounded in the year past about a reshuffle of the Golding Cabinet, while Simpson Miller has failed to live up to her promise to boot underperformers from a largely unimpressive slate of spokespersons and could pay dearly for this procrastination.
It is a year when the Golding administration will be marking four years in office and both parties are preparing for what they describe as "any eventuality".
But there are indications that a largely uninspiring Opposition PNP has not really been able to exploit the Government's woes.
The questionable sincerity of the PNP surfaced in the never-ending dual-citizenship court battles.
After commencing the anti-dual citizenship initiative to wrest power from the JLP, the PNP failed to win a seat in ensuing by-elections.