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JAMAICANS are so often combating pressing domestic social, political and economic problems—irrespective of which of their two dominant parties controls state power—that they could be excused for failing lapses in recognising the inspiration they provide when overcoming challenges to set examples that other CARICOM states and citizens can perhaps emulate. Where else within CARICOM, but in Jamaica, are located a people whose culture of episodic explosions of criminal and political-related violence can be so forgiving to the problems faced either under a People’s National Party (PNP) administration, or that of a Jamaica Labour Party’s, to uniquely honour two former long-serving Prime Ministers and political leaders as an extension of celebrating half a century of political independence!
Not even in Trinidad and Tobago, which, like Jamaica, also marked its 50th independence anniversary last August — the first two in the Region to gain political freedom from Britain in 1962 — was this done.
Williams and T&T
But that’s what the Jamaica Parliament recently did when parliamentarians, across the political divide, assembled on two separate occasions, first to honour the JLP’s former leader and Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, and then, last week, the PNP’s P.J. Patterson.
Here in Trinidad and Tobago, which became independent three weeks after Jamaica in August 1962, such a national event — as a symbol of political maturity and unity 50 years after shedding the colonial yoke — did not form part of the golden jubilee celebrations.
Nevertheless, it remains the country whose historian Prime Minister of 25 years, Eric Williams, the renowned author of ‘Capitalism and Slavery’, had done so much, by his writings and political leadership, to inspire and defend the cultural and political sovereignty of the Anglophone Caribbean.
In Jamaica, Seaga, its longest serving parliamentarian, in addressing the joint session of parliament (House and Senate) was, ironically, warned against accepting “imported solutions” to current fiscal and economic challenges and, in particular, “dictates” from the International Monetary Fund.
Michael Manley
I said ‘ironically’, because for all the pluses extended to his leadership, the PNP’s late leader, Michael Manley, who, as Prime Minister, had to fiercely battle IMF prescriptions amid the JLP’s divisive politicking, may well have had to resist a chuckle from the grave to Seaga’s understandable advice in 2012 while a PNP government, now under Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, is still locked in negotiations with the IMF for a new accord.
For his part, Patterson, recognised beyond the shores of Jamaica as an ‘Elder Statesman’ within CARICOM, had a different kind of warning for the governing PNP and opposition JLP.
He opted to urge the joint session of parliament last week to bring about what he described as “a seismic shift” by being creatively watchful against what’s negative and destructive in the competitive parliamentary political culture.
“A sober reflection will reveal,” Patterson acknowledged, “that we have been most successful whenever consensus and collaboration exist…”
Electoral Commission
One of the best known of Caribbean political personalities internationally — during and out of office — Patterson cited as an example of required political maturity for good governance the establishment, through bi-partisan cooperation, of the independent and professionally functioning Electoral Commission of Jamaica(ECJ).
The ECJ had emerged out of recurring elections violence between the PNP and JLP, particularly during the decade of the 1970s.
At this time, while the PNP administration in Kingston, and the IMF, continue negotiations for a new IMF accord, amid debates on the way forward in mature governance in a rule of law environment, ex-Prime Minister Seaga, respected also for his knowledge of music, is reportedly engaged in national and international arrangements for the release of a 100-song box set entitled “Reggae Golden Jubilee: The Origin of Jamaica Music”.
Patterson, on the other hand, combining roles as an influential strategist for the PNP with that of respected adviser to CARICOM on Haiti and on relations with the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) bloc of States, is to be ceremonially presented with the coveted ‘Oliver Tambo Award’ by South Africa for contributions to the struggle against racism and the fight for justice, equality and democracy.
One of South Africa’s highest national honours, the Oliver Tambo Award was also presented, posthumously, to Patterson’s former embattled PNP leader and Prime Minister, Michael Manley in 2004. Also so posthumously honoured was Guyana’s Executive President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, who died within a day of Manley’s passing in March 1997.
Not even in Trinidad and Tobago, which, like Jamaica, also marked its 50th independence anniversary last August — the first two in the Region to gain political freedom from Britain in 1962 — was this done.
Williams and T&T
But that’s what the Jamaica Parliament recently did when parliamentarians, across the political divide, assembled on two separate occasions, first to honour the JLP’s former leader and Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, and then, last week, the PNP’s P.J. Patterson.
Here in Trinidad and Tobago, which became independent three weeks after Jamaica in August 1962, such a national event — as a symbol of political maturity and unity 50 years after shedding the colonial yoke — did not form part of the golden jubilee celebrations.
Nevertheless, it remains the country whose historian Prime Minister of 25 years, Eric Williams, the renowned author of ‘Capitalism and Slavery’, had done so much, by his writings and political leadership, to inspire and defend the cultural and political sovereignty of the Anglophone Caribbean.
In Jamaica, Seaga, its longest serving parliamentarian, in addressing the joint session of parliament (House and Senate) was, ironically, warned against accepting “imported solutions” to current fiscal and economic challenges and, in particular, “dictates” from the International Monetary Fund.
Michael Manley
I said ‘ironically’, because for all the pluses extended to his leadership, the PNP’s late leader, Michael Manley, who, as Prime Minister, had to fiercely battle IMF prescriptions amid the JLP’s divisive politicking, may well have had to resist a chuckle from the grave to Seaga’s understandable advice in 2012 while a PNP government, now under Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, is still locked in negotiations with the IMF for a new accord.
For his part, Patterson, recognised beyond the shores of Jamaica as an ‘Elder Statesman’ within CARICOM, had a different kind of warning for the governing PNP and opposition JLP.
He opted to urge the joint session of parliament last week to bring about what he described as “a seismic shift” by being creatively watchful against what’s negative and destructive in the competitive parliamentary political culture.
“A sober reflection will reveal,” Patterson acknowledged, “that we have been most successful whenever consensus and collaboration exist…”
Electoral Commission
One of the best known of Caribbean political personalities internationally — during and out of office — Patterson cited as an example of required political maturity for good governance the establishment, through bi-partisan cooperation, of the independent and professionally functioning Electoral Commission of Jamaica(ECJ).
The ECJ had emerged out of recurring elections violence between the PNP and JLP, particularly during the decade of the 1970s.
At this time, while the PNP administration in Kingston, and the IMF, continue negotiations for a new IMF accord, amid debates on the way forward in mature governance in a rule of law environment, ex-Prime Minister Seaga, respected also for his knowledge of music, is reportedly engaged in national and international arrangements for the release of a 100-song box set entitled “Reggae Golden Jubilee: The Origin of Jamaica Music”.
Patterson, on the other hand, combining roles as an influential strategist for the PNP with that of respected adviser to CARICOM on Haiti and on relations with the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) bloc of States, is to be ceremonially presented with the coveted ‘Oliver Tambo Award’ by South Africa for contributions to the struggle against racism and the fight for justice, equality and democracy.
One of South Africa’s highest national honours, the Oliver Tambo Award was also presented, posthumously, to Patterson’s former embattled PNP leader and Prime Minister, Michael Manley in 2004. Also so posthumously honoured was Guyana’s Executive President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, who died within a day of Manley’s passing in March 1997.
