UNSAVOURY LINKAGES have been a part of our political culture for longer than the party organisations would publicly acknowledge.
Prominent national leaders have attended showpiece funerals of activists such as the infamous Burry Boy in 1975; that of Jim Brown in 1992; and in 2001 in the National Arena, others have paid fulsome tributes to the dear departed "dons."
Perhaps the first public acknowledgement of association with gunmen by a prominent politician was the frank admission by Mr. Bruce Golding; and that came on his then exit from the JLP accompanied by a renunciation of the "old style politics" of violence and intimidation.
We cite this background in acknowledgement of a bold new statement to the newly-elected House of Representatives by the Honourable Michael Peart who now presides as Speaker.
He made the cogent point that "the consensus in the wider public is that we are all linked to these unsavoury elements..." His characterisation of "association with hooligans" is a discreet euphemism in the circumstances. But it speaks to his obviously deeply felt revulsion at the disgraceful episode outside Gordon House on November 14 when the new Parliament was being sworn in.
It is difficult to avoid the suspicion that the vulgar demonstration was organised and not just a spontaneous eruption of political fervour. Indeed it seemed to be a spin-off from the spate of scattered violence in the aftermath of the elections.
As Speaker, Mr. Peart will preside over a chamber more balanced than hitherto, which means that debate may be more intense and contentious. The Parliament is designed to contain vigorous debate by way of rules of order administered by an impartial Speaker.
His role is to see that due dignity and decorum are preserved in an atmosphere of more light than heat. The new Speaker has served good notice of an attitude in tune with what the Parliament should be: an august chamber of representatives pledged to serve the nation and its people.
We endorse his resolve "to open a new chapter in the conduct and image of parliamentarians inside and outside of Parliament."
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
