A long time in politics

Daniel Thwaites

CLICHÉS AND oft-repeated sayings are more often than not either false or only half true. But a week really is a long time in politics and all participants in the current Jamaican drama know that. The very volatility of public opinion is what makes this country a thriving democracy, but it has drawbacks.

One such is that the competition for political approval is intense, and the desire to seek political one-upmanship on every issue can and has been taken to reckless lengths. This happens even when people's lives are involved. Take the politicisation of the violent acts in West Kingston. Did it really have to go that way? Did it have to move from being a police matter to one that has engulfed both political parties and sent shocks of fear throughout the country? It did not.

Firstly, as is obvious to all, the basic positioning for elections has begun to take place. The discussion paper and proposals for root and branch local government reform is one major move by the PNP in positioning itself. We can look forward to the JLP's reaction and response to those proposals. Historically the JLP had long made the point that the local government units were inefficient - so in a way the move towards regionalisation is recognition by the PNP that the Labour Party had a point. Hopefully both parties will take an enlightened view of the prospects for reform. On the other hand, other aspects of the nascent electioneering have been ugly.

It is plain that the JLP has an interest in an election campaign as quickly as possible. They are very aware that the lead in polls can evaporate. There is also the issue of Mr. Seaga's health and stamina. A very unflattering portrait is emerging from his recent tour of the USA, where observations about his physical fragility were uncommonly frank. Additionally, David Panton's decision to withdraw from the candidacy for Central Manchester is more significant than the party would like to let on, but more on that soon.

The PNP has an interest in holding off the campaign and the election so that it can regroup, gather some momentum, and launch or complete some of the projects that should give the party some bounce. Additionally, it must need time to bring in some fresh legs, encourage some new stock, and gather some fresh supplies for the race ahead.

What is certain is that most people continue eyeing both parties suspiciously, and most people are not inclined to support either. Therefore neither party has a solid base of support that it can take for granted, and an upcoming election will be too close for comfort on either side. It's not an easy road for any of the two and one-quarter parties.

In this environment, what began as another gang war in West Kingston has taken on political overtones when it certainly did not have to. That politicisation became irretrievable when Mr. Seaga broke an agreement with the Jamaica Council of Churches and the PNP and accused the latter of organising an assault on his constituency. He has gone on this week to reject further talks with the PNP. Worse, he proceeded to accuse the JCC of lacking credibility, and made comments indicating that he considers the JCC something of a pest and a nuisance rather than of any help.

Needless to say, Mr. Seaga is wrong to dismiss talks with the PNP, and wrong to pour scorn on the churches. Peace talks and a show of unity between the parties could only help. And as for the credibility of the Church! Only two national institutions enjoy overall credibility with ordinary Jamaicans, and they are, in turn, the Church and the dancehall.

Meanwhile, the violence in West Kingston continues and the alarming death toll continues to rise. Worse, there is some indication that the uproar has spread beyond its original confines as a gang dispute between elements in Denham Town and Hannah Town. So who knows what the next week in politics holds when one leader has returned to the rhetoric of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Luckily for Mr. Seaga, there is some sort of determined effort to screen out the history of Western Kingston. Commentators have been routinely dismissing any discussion about how that part of Kingston came to be the murder capital of the world, as if there is any prospect of understanding where we are without knowing the circumstances of how we got here.

However that may be, the plain fact is that all groups and organisations need to repudiate the violence and work towards its discontinuation. Who knows, this coming week could be the time to heal wounds.

Daniel Thwaites is involved in teaching and writing.

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