'Cabinet reshuffle offers the same deck of cards' - Political psychologist says changes are insignificant, solely dramatic
Published:Friday | July 1, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Erica Virtue, Senior Gleaner Writer
THE LONG-ANTICIPATED Cabinet reshuffle has done nothing to reassure psychologist Christopher Charles that the quality of the governance structures in Jamaica will be improved.
In fact, Charles, who specialises in the psychology of political behaviour, said Golding's reshuffle, coming a year or less from a general election, is "an attempt to give the impression that something is being done", and done for expediency.
Speaking with The Gleaner from the United States, where he lectures at Munro College, Charles said on Wednesday that he believes there is nothing to celebrate.
"Politicians are not removed in Jamaica because of non-performance. They are moved either because they are perceived to be political liabilities, they are sick, or they want to go," he offered.
Political drama
Dorothy Lightbourne, who was the justice minister, attorney general and leader of government business in the Senate, was dumped from the Cabinet after facing pressure from the Opposition for her handling of all three roles.
Charles said he believed Lightbourne wanted to go.
According to him, reshuffles are part of the political drama of the Westminster system, which Jamaica practises, though not in the strictest sense.
"Cabinet reshuffles are one of the rituals of the Westminster political system, and are nothing more than symbolic manipulations, in the case of Jamaica," he argued. "It's the same deck of cards after the reshuffle. For if we are going to say that Lightbourne was removed because she under-performed, why did the PM move Tufton, who was performing at the Ministry of Agriculture?"
Political commentator and attorney-at-law Dr Paul Ashley said the reshuffle had nothing to do with governance, but rather the survival of the prime minister.
The People's National Party (PNP), which has been clamouring for the removal of Lightbourne, said it welcomed her removal.
"We have consistently called for the removal of Lightbourne, because we thought she was not up for the job, so, obviously, we would welcome her removal," declared PNP General Secretary Peter Bunting.
However like Charles, Bunting sees the reshuffle as a political move and not an effort to strengthen governance.