D.K. Duncan THE PRIME Minister of Jamaica speaks today in the 2002 budget exercise. This may be his last budget presentation as Prime Minister. The results of the next General Election will determine this. Whatever the future holds, history will record some milestones which cannot be erased.
MOTIVATION
P.J. entered public life some 44 years ago at age 23. In his first swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister (March 30, 1992) he recalled:
"When I decided to participate in the process of political development of our country, he (Norman Manley) was my early inspiration. It was the vision that he provided, and above all the strength of his honesty and integrity which motivated me to become active in public life."
SERVICE
P.J. Patterson has served as a Minister of Government for a total of 22 years, spanning two separate decades during which time he has been Prime Minister for over 10 consecutive years.
The PNP President interrupted his university studies to serve his party as an organiser in 1958. He saw the party win, as part of the West Indies Federal Labour Party (WIFLP), to help form the first Federal Government. He witnessed the return of the PNP for a second term in the General Election of 1959. The party lost the referendum on the Federation issue and then failed electorally to lead Jamaica into political Independence in 1962.
Sticking to the course, he became a Member of Parliament in 1970 and was elected at various times, firstly as vice president (at age 33) and later as chairman of the PNP. He successfully managed Michael Manley's campaign for president of the Party and followed up as campaign director in several general elections. Most Jamaicans, if they cannot agree on anything about P.J., see him as a successful political campaigner and strategist.
After serving as Deputy Prime Minister for several years, he made his first budget presentation as Prime Minister in 1992. Today will be his 11th consecutive contribution.
THE BACKGROUND
The presentation comes against the background of an administration which has served the longest consecutive number of years (13) and a record three consecutive terms. It will be taking place in a year where elections are to be called by the Prime Minister. P.J. Patterson will also be mindful of a resuscitated Opposition Party unaccustomed to a 'three term syndrome' and anxious to return to office.
LEADERSHIP
He brought a different leadership style to the country in 1992 - emphasising non-confrontation. At the first swearing-in ceremony he promised:
"For my part, I intend at all times to act and speak with the level of dignity and decorum that befits this high office. We should never allow any exigency of partisan competition to lower our standards of expression."
Most people agree that he has had success in this area.
VALUES AND ATTITUDES
In the same speech, he asked himself the question: "How can I, by example, as well as by precept, help to change our values and attitudes so that we can provide that sense of unity and action which is the only foundation on which national prosperity can be built?"
Two years later he answered by setting up "A National Consultation on Values and Attitudes". Addressing its launch on February 15, 1994, he observed:
"The fights for scarce benefits and political spoils has contributed to a polarised society in which we operate as hostile tribes which seem to be perpetually at war, rather than working together to realise a common goal."
In the same address he pleaded: "We have to create a political culture which enables and not alienates; that empowers rather than disempowers; that permits right and forbids wrong."
The very tribal nature of the society seemed to have played a negative role in preventing success in this venture. In addition, the PNP president's own predilection for the politics of patronage was a disabling contradiction.
MELTDOWN
Prime Minister Patterson presided over the greatest meltdown of the financial sector ever seen in this country. Opinions are divided as to the root causes. Some argue that it was misguided Government macro-economic policies, - others blame greedy, incompetent businessmen, while some see a little of both. It is common knowledge, however that the Prime Minister felt utterly betrayed by a significant number of new players, who he hoped would have come into their own in the new Jamaica.
GOVERNANCE
The Prime Minister rocked with the political punches delivered at the time of the gas riots in 1999. He responded, after some procrastination, with the observation that: "-the old order - the closed distant and authoritarian systems of governance are being forced to give way to a structure which is inclusive, responsive and accountable to the new, proud, informed, assertive Jamaican Citizen of the 21st century."
Subsequent events including the NetServ nightmare and the Operation PRIDE debacle served to seriously undermine these observations.
LEGACY
There is no doubt that the Prime Minister had mapped out a strategy for the grand finale - the 2002 General Election. This was partially to ensure the party's fourth term, which would coincide with his own third consecutive elected term.
He was to go down in history as the Prime Minister who made available the most land to the most people. Motivated by his social background and inspired by his experiences he set himself and his colleagues to work.
Infrastructure - highways, telephones and rural water - seem to be living up to expectations. But mismanagement and abuse of public office, breaches and corruption of public policy have muddied the perception of delivery of land and houses and as well as the creation of jobs.
POLLS
Finally, the party president will be speaking against the background of public opinion polls which show his party trailing his opponent. For the first time under his leadership, the party has been behind for an unbroken 17 months. The most recent Stone Polls show the PNP at 43 per cent and the JLP at 55 per cent.
THE MENTOR
P.J.'s mentor, Norman Washington Manley (NW), felt that his (NW's) generation had fulfilled its mission - of achieving "self government and Independence on a political plane." N.W. was "deeply convinced" that the role of the next generation was "to proceed to the social and economic reform of Jamaica."
Will P.J. speak to these issues in today's budget presentation? Or will he wait for the next big stage - the Party's Annual Conference in September - which may or may not be his last as party president?
Thirty years after Norman Manley, and after 44 years of devoted public service to the People's National Party and Jamaica - let the Prime Minister speak!
One love, one heart.
Former General Secretary and Government Minister in the PNP Administration of the 1970s, Dr. Duncan - a dental surgeon, recently established "The D.K. Duncan Political Institute". E-mail: dktruth@hotmail.com
