Heather RobinsonA FRIEND of mine, who grew up in rural Jamaica, was reminiscing about her childhood experiences with her grandmother. Her grandmother owned and cherished several items in her home, but the most precious among these was her cabinet (for china). In this cabinet was placed her most treasured pieces of crockery. The best pieces were placed to the front for public display and the stained and sometimes chipped pieces were placed to the back. The responsibility of washing, drying and replacing the pieces in the cabinet was never given to my friend. This task was entrusted to my friend's brother who was more careful, able to replace them in the exact order of his grandmother and never damaged or broke a piece.
It appears that my friend's hands were slippery and to this date her own mother assumes that once something is broken, it happened from the hands of my friend.
There has been a lot of talk recently about the current Cabinet, which is the executive arm of the Government. Parliament is no different from my friend's grandmother's cabinet. The Prime Minister plays the role of the grandmother as he alone dictates whom is placed in the front benches of Parliament for public display and management of the country. It is he who decides if one member should be shifted having lost his confidence, or who has become damaged in some way and no longer enjoys the privilege of being seated in that enviable position.
It is clear that unlike my friend's grandmother, the Prime Minister cannot delegate the job of washing, drying and replacing the members of the Cabinet to anyone. There is no one to whom he can give instructions, and like all grandmothers he knows the risk of damage is greatest when his back is turned.
A BETTER IDEA
With each passing day Jamaica gets a better idea as to when the President of the People's National Party will retire. He has been preparing the country for this day for several years now. He has said to his Cabinet and Jamaica that he will not be there when a new government is elected and a new Cabinet appointed. The People's National Party has been given due notice in the process of identifying his successor and electing that person.
In the process of choosing a leader it might be useful to examine some of the criteria that this new leader might wish to satisfy.
The most basic of these criteria relates to the status of the constituency that the candidate represents. Status refers firstly to its organisational viability within the PNP, and whether it is a recognised constituency with the requisite number of active and financial groups. A detailed analysis of the MP's work within the constituency will prove very revealing. How long has the MP represented the constituency and how has the regular allocation of Social and Economic Support Programme (SESP) and Local Development Programme been spent? Can the Office of the Prime Minister provide reports as to whether MPs have always utilised these funds for the benefit of their constituents? Has any SESP ever been returned unused?
The management of a political constituency is the first step in preparing politicians for Cabinet positions and the management of a ministry will help in preparing the minister to become the Cabinet maker.
There are two very important credibility measures that voters will use in determining their choice of the Cabinet maker. These are honesty and trustworthiness. Can I rely on this person to make me proud? Will I be able to defend their behaviour and conduct?
Is this person a team player? Or are they like Brian Lara an excellent batsman, capable of making 400 runs, but unable to lead the West Indies to victory?
As the PNP prepares Jamaica for the election of a new Cabinet maker, would-be aspirants will do well if they reflect on how they have performed as MP and Minister. Can their performance stand the scrutiny of the PNP delegates and ultimately the Jamaican people and the international market place? Are you our next Cabinet maker?
Heather Robinson is a Senior Life Underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
