THE POLITICAL Code of Conduct has set out ground rules on "public utterances" including platform speakers. The statements, the Code says, should not be inflammatory or incite others to confrontation or violence; nor should they be libelous, slanderous or malicious.Within these limits, political speches should address the economic and social prospects of the nation to help the electorate make their choices of candidates. Even so there is no prohibition against making fun and excitement - even entertainment - on the hustings.
Some speeches, however, may evoke negative reactions even though they do not breach the Code. A recent example was the platform outburst by the Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Tourism and Sport. Mrs. Simpson Miller has engaged in a war of words with JLP Spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, over allegations of financial irregularities at the New York Office of the Jamaica Tourist Board.
In rebutting claims by Mr. Shaw of a cover-up in the matter, the Minister erupted at a PNP rally at Naggo Head last Sunday night with these words: "Don't draw my tongue and don't trouble this girl, because I don't fraid a no man, no gal, no one...."
Her remarks have evoked unfavourable reaction in some quarters. Letters to the Editor have characterised them as not befitting a Minister of Government and of being "dirty talk".
Plain talk is the stuff of political platform speeches. It is the most effective way to communicate with ordinary people. Politicians use dialect to sway crowds in a way similar to pop song artistes using profanity.
What has apparently upset her critics are the strident tones the Minister used and her departure from genteel decorum, which the cartoonists have captured so effectively. At worst, she lapsed into unseemly vulgarity.
Even so we are more concerned with an earlier platform utterance by a JLP parliamentarian, Mrs. Shahine Robinson of Northeast St. Ann.
In recent weeks she was shown on a television newscast winding up a platform speech with this seemingly ominous parting shot: "If is war them want, them can come.." or words to that effect.
It was a chilling reminder of underlying enmity that is still part of the political culture. It betrays the notion that political rivals are not simply opponents but enemies in a tribal war.
We think that all politicians in their public comments and speches should exercise great care not to incite to violence or physical confrontation.
