D.K. Duncan A NUMBER of Jamaicans are confused. They watched a most vitriolic election campaign between two opposing parties which especially villified the two leaders. Fifteen days after the election both leaders embraced each other at Vale Royal and called for a National Consensus. All of this without some element of public reconciliation, logic or explanation.
So when 42 people are killed over nine of the last 25 days since the elections, we wonder why. Did anybody tell the supporters that the election was over and it was just a little joke we were running? Despite this, a window of opportunity has been opened by the leaders representing the 48 per cent of those persons 18 years and over who voted for them. Decision No. 4 as recorded in the communiqué issued after the Vale Royal Summit of November 1, 2002 speaks to this opening. A six-person committee, with three each from the Government and the Opposition, is to prepare a status report on the proposed Constitutional Reforms which were presented to Parliament on May 31, 1995.
The 52 per cent of these 18 years and over who did not vote for either party in the General Election of October 2002 are to benefit according to the communiqué from a discussion on the format and timeframe for the involvement of Civil Society in the discussion on Constitutional Reform.
EIGHT DECISIONS
Six of the eight decisions arrived at by the representatives of the Government (People's National Party) and the Opposition (Jamaica Labour Party) are directly related to the critical issue of the Structure of Government. The first decision of the Summit held at Vale Royal affirmed that the November 1, 2002 meeting was to be the first of several regular meetings between the Government and the Opposition. The eighth decision included a timeframe. The two parties are to meet again on Friday, November 29, 2002 for a fuller discussion of additional efforts to reduce crime and violence. During the interim, November 1 to 29, the Government will brief the Opposition on proposals arising from the agreed National Crime Plan which are about to be implemented. In the meantime the Special Squads like the Crime Management Unit (CMU) are to interpret the policy decisions of the new administration as best as they can. Soldiers are to be added to the arsenal for the prevention of crime.
What is new? Will the helicopters and the armoured vehicles be more than just surveillance units? Are they part of the fighting force under the direction of the Jamaica Constabulary Force? The police are confused. The Army is uncertain. The inner cities are restless. There seems to be several different interpretations of the mandate arising from the October 16 elections.
When the six person committee meets to enumerate what is already known i.e. the decisions in the Final Report of the Joint Select Committee of the Houses of Parliament in Constitutional and Electoral Reform tabled in Parliament in May 31, 1995, there should be no confusion.
OPPORTUNITY
The window of opportunity arises from one of the conclusions of that 1995 Report. It states that both parties (PNP and JLP) should abide by the result of some process of popular consultation that would determine in a definite way which of the two systems - the Parliamentary or the Executive Presidential - best reflects the wishes of the Jamaican people.
The six-person committee has very little work to do. The Final Report already recommend that all necessary steps be taken to promote national awareness and understanding of the broad purposes and important provisions of our Constitution, its role as the supreme law of the land, and all proposal for its reform. The Joint Select Committees report of May 1995 further recommended to Parliament that before setting in motion the formal legislative process necessary to amend the Constitution, that it should put in place an appropriate mechanism for determining the will of the Jamaican people in this regard. A seven-year promise of a two-year public education programme to be followed by an indicative referendum was made but never kept.
PARALYSIS OF ANALYSIS
Do we really need six persons to recall this information? The critical issues of Crime and Violence, Political Tribalism and Constitutional Reform are inextricably linked. The report of the National Committee on Crime and violence of June 11, 2002 pulled at least four previous reports together and asserted that three of the five main root causes of crime and violence emanated from Political Tribalism. Why do we need 28 days to recall these conclusions? In the meantime what is Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams and his team to do? Where is the funding for the inner-city programme that inspired Minister Simpson Miller to wonder aloud whether she has been given basket to carry water?
OPEN TO NEW IDEAS
In 1995 a number of constituency public opinion polls were conducted. A particular question on the structure of Government was asked. The interviewers asked, "Some people would like to see a change in the Constitution whereby the voters would elect a Prime Minister who would choose his Cabinet. Voters would also have a separate vote to elect Members of Parliament to whom the Prime Minister and Cabinet would have to report. Do you think this is a good or bad idea?" The response in 10 constituencies polled ranged from 54 per cent to a high of 83 per cent: saying "Yes." Previous national public opinion polls had similar responses. The people are open to new ideas. Let us engage them as the Prime Minister promised, in dialogue and full participation.
Senator Bruce Golding's MOU with the JLP was also an opening. We expect him to use it. Senator Trevor Munroe's de facto entry into the PNP without an MOU or a public rationale does not allow him to escape his public position as an advocate of the separation of powers (see Gleaner article Sunday, April 17, 1994). Those of us sitting and talking from our verandahs of privileges as well as others seething in hopelessness in the inner cities who are participants in civil society need to wake up and smell the coffee.
Whatever the failings or weaknesses of the leaders of the 48 per cent they have suggested a role for the 52 per cent who did not vote for them. Whether you did or did not vote, there is no longer any excuse for complacency or procrastination. Opportunities are likely to be provided for more access to governance. It is time for all of us to put up or shut up.
ONE LOVE, ONE HEART.
D.K. Duncan is a former PNP 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
