Delroy Chuck
Delroy Chuck
THE JAMAICA Labour Party has suffered immeasurably during the past two months. The ex parte injunction to stop the annual conference brought the party into disrepute, disarray and public ridicule, from which it must rebuild. Yet, to be fair, the court action forced the party to look carefully at its constitution and to make the necessary changes to its by-laws to remove ambiguities. In response, the party's internal management and administration will be stronger and better, and the party's organisational structure in the 60 constituencies strengthened.
Sadly, the JLP has never really settled its internal disputes well. In 1960, the party was unable to hold a conference, as labourites physically assaulted one another, and many other disputes have been played out publicly. Still, from all these turmoil, the party emerged to form government and serve the country well. As one who sits at present around the table and participates in the battle and conflict of ideas, views and personalities, I think it is a healthy process and, once the best ideas and policies emerge, can eventually benefit the country. Yet, I am very disappointed when the internal disagreements reach the press, which, unlike its empathy to the PNP, is unsympathetic to the JLP and eager to highlight its worst. Actually, the country should be happy that the party is vibrant and receptive to a variety of differing opinions and personalities.
Now, the country wants the party to settle down and become a government in waiting, a strong Opposition that keeps the present government in check and to bring it down if it is unable to govern. As a member of the Opposition, I admit we have not done well. I do not believe the culture of the JLP is to be in Opposition and, thus, we have not serve the role with distinction.
PEACE AND PROSPERIT
We are people who are action-oriented and not talkers. In Opposition, we see what is going wrong but have not successfully demonstrated to the country that we would do better. We highlight the wrongs but somehow fail to convince the country that our policies would take the country to peace and prosperity. Our manifesto in the last election was a blueprint for economic development and expansion, for stable government, for better social services and to rescue the country from its present path but we failed to persuade the people of its merit and remain in Opposition.
Soon, a new leader will be elected and his first duty will be to build a team in and outside of Parliament that must go across the nooks and crannies of Jamaica to persuade the farmers, the unemployed, the struggling masses, the hopeless and forgotten that help is on the way. We have to reconnect with the people and generate hope and confidence that a new JLP can once again turn the country around from a government that begs, borrows and depends on remittances, grants and loans to one that inspires and attracts investors, developers and entrepreneurs to expand the economic base of our country. We have to convince the people that unless we can create the needed jobs and opportunities for Jamaicans to have the means to care for their children, family and themselves then they cannot have and demand the dignity and respect every citizen deserves.
A new JLP must convince the country that the present failed path in which wealth is transferred from the poor to the rich, in which economic growth is anaemic and, consequently, the social services and other governmental services have simply collapsed are the direct result of faulty economic prescriptions and incompetent leadership.
Rebuilding the JLP will not be as difficult as many believe. With goodwill and a quick settlement of the leadership contest, the party can immediately get on the ground to start its political work to strengthen its branches, divisions and constituencies. At the same time, the new leader must put together a shadow Cabinet and numerous think tanks to develop new policies, prescriptions and programmes for good government and a better Jamaica.
Importantly, it is time the JLP controls and settles its internal disputes amicably. Thus, the first order of business for the new leader is to put in place an effective Dispute Resolution Commit-tee to which every member can take his or her complaint and have it effectively addressed. With goodwill and a commitment to the country, the JLP will rebuild, and get stronger and ready to build a better Jamaica.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney at law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be
contacted by email at delchuck@hotmail.com
