Thursday, September 4, 2014

Let the new political conversation begin



Patrick Casserly (left) and Prof Trevor Munroe
by Jean Lowrie-Chin - Jamaica Observer column | Monday 1 September 2014

As we keep searching for a way out of the disillusionment of so many Jamaicans, there were encouraging signs last week from Professor Trevor Munroe and entrepreneur Ambassador Patrick Casserly.

Professor Munroe is the Executive Director of National Integrity Action (NIA) which is an affiliate of Transparency International (TI).  In a speech to the joint meeting of the Rotary Club of Portmore and Trafalgar, New Heights, he reflected on Rotary’s “Four-Way Test” and a question asked by the test: “Is it fair to all concerned?” He concluded that Jamaicans were not being treated fairly in too many aspects of national life, citing situations which have left many horrified and frustrated. 

He contemplated the fate of Mario Deane, who lost his life while being detained in a Montego Bay jail for possession of a ganja spliff. He decried the condition of our prisons, noting that “we and our representatives sat by while the 2013/2014 budget allocated a little over $110 million to maintain 70 lock ups for an entire year, while $54 million dollars this year and close to $100 last year was spent for a one-day grand gala. Is that prioritization of spending fair to all concerned?” 

He also mentioned our political system in which “a Member of Parliament who may be a total non-performer enjoys absolute job security for five years – the very same as an MP who is working hard.”

He asked, “is it fair to all concerned that the non-performer cannot be fired even if he or she says nothing in the House for five years, does nothing for five years, people in the constituency don’t see him or her for five years while he or she may be looking out for themselves.”

In contrast, he pointed out that “every other Jamaican, from the highest Appeals Court Judge to the janitor or household help enjoys no such job security and can, after due process, be fired for misconduct, negligence or incompetence at any time.”

Referring to the right of recall existing in Belize and recently passed by the House in Trinidad, he expressed the hope that this would be introduced in Jamaica, “where the constituents as boss can fire the Member of Parliament, of course, following due process as any boss should be able to fire any employee.”

Despite his criticism, Professor Munroe hastened to remind his audience that for Jamaica, “failing is not really our destiny nor our basic nature”.  He noted that the independence of our judiciary was in the top third of 148 countries according to the last Global Competitiveness Report, and similarly “in the strength of our auditing and reporting standards.”

“In health and wellness, believe it or not we rank above the United States (Social Progress Index 2014),” he continued, “and in Press Freedom we invariably top, not only the United States, but also Canada and the UK as well as other mature democracies.”
He also cited our political stability with “constitutionally mandated relatively free and fair elections” and reminded us that “we abolished slavery before the United States; achieved adult suffrage before any other predominantly black country in the world.”

On Cliff Hughes’ television programme “Impact” last Thursday, Ambassador Patrick Casserly, a wealthy Jamaican entrepreneur explained why he had decided to enter politics.  It had been announced a few weeks ago that he and former track star and gym owner, Juliet Cuthbert, had joined the Jamaica Labour Party.

Fortunately, on listening to Ambassador Patrick Casserly one quickly realizes that he is no starry-eyed JLP tribalist. He cited the groundwork of both our political fathers Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley whose vision for Jamaica he believes has not been fulfilled. 

“Curry goat politics is over,” declared Patrick Casserly. He said Jamaicans have become so turned off from politics that large numbers are not participating in the electoral process.  He said that politics demanded a different conversation with the Jamaican people. When asked why he is making this move, he said “I intend to be a free man in my country – this is why I am participating.”  He pointed out that it was hardly desirable to be living behind a 15-foot wall in one’s own country.

As Jamaica grapples with speculation around the honesty of politicians, as many are afraid to express themselves for fear of victimization, we have to be grateful to folks like Professor Munroe and Ambassador Casserly who are willing to stand up for the truth knowing that the brick-bats could very well follow. The realistic Ambassador Casserly admitted that he could not predict the length of his political career, but felt it was worth the try, reminding us that the Opposition is an important part of the Government.  This is the conversation that Jamaica has been hoping for – let it begin.


  • We need more people like Mr. Casserly to enter politics coming from the business world. Fresh faces, new attitudes, and ideas we can turn this land scape called Jamaica around.

    What a statement from Ambassador Casserly! "I intend to be a free man in my country — as it is hardly desirable to be living behind a 15-foot wall". All of us know that feeling - onward Ambassador Casserly.

    Jamaicans wealth is a measure of the goods and services produced. Creating wealth and generating jobs happens because of ENTREPRENEURS. Jamaica lacks a dynamic ENTREPRENEURIAL culture. "Everybody" want to raid the barn in Jamaica but nobody want to plant the corn. The country needs to strengthen rule of law, improve education, practice good governance through system of checks and balances and promote ENTREPRENEURSHIP. People called ENTREPRENEURS create wealth. Borrowing money or waiting on remittances to buy products to consume does not make us richer. Only the people selling us the goods they produce get richer - China comes to mind. Therefore. China now has the wealth and ENTREPRENEURIAL expertise to do things we cannot do in Jamaica. China has become that relative we hit up for money at the family reunion because they have toiled over the years and become one of the most ENTREPRENEURIAL societies in the world.

    There is a breeze of commonsense coming into the Jamaican political sphere, not just in leadership, but also in follower-ship. The citizens are much less satisfied with embellishment of records, and promises which brings hope, but delivers misery, bellowed from stages and loud speakers. The desire to listen intently to rational sensible reasonings and arguments by political aspirants, though still in it's infancy, is growing steadily. The nutritional supplement of information access provided by the new media, is certainly boosting that growth. In due course the citizens may realize the TRUE nature of people power. Not the bought out, hyped up, shouted out brand bawled out on the political stage, but the quiet, contemplative one expressed in that solitary moment in the voter's booth.
    One Love!

    I hope you're right.
  • Five references to the dude as Ambassador but nowhere does it say ambassador of what or to where. SMH!!! Commendable that he wants to come from behind his 15 ft wall. SMH again !!!
  • Another rich Dude who wants us to believe that he can make a difference. And not surprisingly he is JLP. I have never heard of him, don't know what he has done as an Ambassador, have never heard of him critiquing the Cuury Goat politics. He has no long term commitments but wants to come from behind his protective wall. Mr. Casserly Sir, we have heard this before but just perhaps, perhaps you may start something new and lead your Party down a new road. Good luck boss!
    Also, we are the only country in the region that don't change governor general after every general election. And we can boast that all our citizens have equal rights under our constitution, the very thing women in the Bahamas are fighting for just now.
  • The most important statement he made was, "that the quality of ones life is inextricably linked to those around you". We have a simple choice, build more walls and grills or create opportunities for all?
  • I enjoy reading Mz. Chin's articles as they always contain an uplifting message. I hope Mz.Chin will excuse my cynicism and the readers will allow me to plagiarize from some of the great authors of classical and sacred literature.
    The fault dear Jamaicans, is not in our political parties, but in ourselves.
    Julius Bradshaw.
    Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie which we ascribe to the politicians.
    Peter Shakespeare .
    The heart of ------------------- (place the name of any past current or future politician) is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it.
    Petermiah


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