Peter Espeut I DON'T know if you are one of those who believe that the real reason the Parish Council elections were not held in March is that the legislation was not in readiness for the Portmore Municipality. I'm not!
According to the Jamaican Constitution, local government elections must be held every three years, and the last set was in 1998. In addition to the fact that Parish Council elections are two years overdue (postponed so that we could have General Elections, we are told) and our national constitution is being frustrated by the government, there are a significant number of divisions whose councillors have either resigned, died or migrated, and whose residents are without their constitutional right to local representation. Does the government respect our National Constitution?
Last year in the euphoria surrounding the victory at the national polls, Prime Minister Patterson made a solemn promise to the nation that we would have local elections by the end of March 2003 (i.e. before the budget pain), sometime soon after which he would retire, handing over to a successor (as did Michael Manley). Here we are in May with campaigning not yet really begun. Clearly we are not going to have Parish Council elections for now! What could be so compelling for the Prime Minister to break a solemn promise to the nation? What other changes have been made in the succession timetable?
BLOTTING THE COPYBOOK
The Most Honourable Prime Minister is very concerned about his place in history, especially in relation to Mr. Seaga, and so far, Mr. Patterson has not lost an election of any sort. He does not want to blot his copybook at the end of his political career, so he cannot call local government elections until he is confident he will win. The antics of Omar in Meadow-brook and the agony of an unpopular budget causing a slide in the dollar with its attendant price increases, suggest that confidence will not be restored in the foreseeable future.
The reason put forward for the local election postponement is so lame. Mr. Patterson claims that he had promised that at the next local election, the municipality of Portmore would be in place, with the residents electing a municipal council and mayor. (The argument goes that) since the legislation and other arrangements are not in place for the creation of the municipality, he is postponing local elections until those arrangements are in place so he can keep his promise. In other words, a promise to the whole country will be broken (and the constitution frustrated) so that a promise to Portmore can be kept; the whole country is being held back because of the slowness of the government with respect to Portmore. It is a travesty of democracy that a party in power can postpone an election for two years with a reason such as this!
But then, the Municipal Council of Portmore will consist of the same Parish Councillors who sit in the St. Catherine Parish Council, so if Local Government elections were held now, they would not be wasted, as when the legal arrangements are in place, the Portmore Municipal Council could immediately be constituted from the already elected Councillors (as it could be right now!) The only new election needed would be for the directly elected Mayor of Portmore, which could be held at any time. I know obfuscation when I see it!
No, the reason given by the Prime Minister for postponing the local government elections is not compelling. It is a stall! Electophobia! They are postponing the elections because they are afraid they will lose. Test it: Do you see any haste or any effort at all to bring to Parliament the legislation to create the municipality of Portmore?
ELECTOPHOBIA
Which brings me to the question of the so-called Caribbean Court of Justice. In the face of widespread public disapproval, the government is rushing through the Lower House and the Senate ratification of the Protocol creating this Caribbean Court of Trade Disputes. I heard it being argued by the government that the General Elections last October was the referendum on the Caribbean Court. Really? Well, hold Parish Council elections then, nuh! Electophobia again! If the PNP were to lose the Parish Council elections, they would not be able to claim any thread of moral authority whatsoever to force through the Caribbean Court in the face of widespread opposition!
TRAVESTY OF DEMOCRACY
Never mind the Westminster precedent, it is a travesty of democracy that the party in power can postpone an election because they believe they will lose. A fixed date of election is called for! Now more than ever does constitutional reform need to be on the front burner.
Expect the retirement of Prime Minister Patterson before any Parish Council election - or constitutional reform. This is his strategy to preserve his winning streak. He does not want to lose the last election before his retirement to give Mr. Seaga any satisfaction.
Mr. Patterson need not worry: his place in history is secure. He will be remembered as the Prime Minister who talked of values and attitudes, and transparency, and the like, yet declined to make the sort of changes necessary to give effect to his words. He, for example, has presided over the greatest run of brutality by the state against its citizens since slavery was abolished! He will be remembered as the Prime Minister who took Jamaica into the 21st century with its dons and garrisons intact when he could have made a difference.
Peter Espeut is a sociologist and executive director of an environment and development NGO.
