Heather RobinsonHeather Robinson
DURING HIS presidential address to the 66th Annual Conference of the People's National Party in January, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson listed nine imperatives for the party. These imperatives he needs to see developed to a satisfactory point before he demits the office of party president. They are for the most part focused on the party and its work as a political organisation, but one has more national import than all the others do. Imperative number two focuses on the party leading the dialogue on issues of national, regional and global importance. The President of the PNP is conscious of the historic mission of the party and was clearly providing a mandate for his successor.
Each time one listens to the President of the PNP address party members, as he did again on Sunday last in Montego Bay at the meeting of the National Executive Council, members find themselves considering who among the five who have offered themselves is a worthy successor to Percival Noel James Patterson. In his usual calm and clear manner, Mr. Patterson outlined the present status of the Caribbean Court of Justice post the Privy Council ruling to the NEC. Listening to him and watching the expressions of four of the aspirants who were seated at the head table, namely Party Chairman Robert Pickersgill and vice-presidents Karl Blythe, Portia Simpson Miller and Peter Phillips, with Region 3 chairman Omar Davies seated in the audience, one was forced to ask the question: who among this group could articulate the issues with similar clarity and confidence as P. J. Patterson, without slavishly adhering to a prepared by someone else text?
Going back a few days to Gordon House last Tuesday, when Mr. Patterson spoke on the status of the CCJ and was subsequently subjected to a number of questions by members of the Opposition, who among the five was comfortable and confidently saying to themselves "I can manage that". The Prime Minister has gone to Suriname to the 16th Intersessional Caricom Heads of Government meeting. There he will have to provide leadership as Caricom seeks to determine how best to proceed with the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This will include local discussions here in Jamaica between the Government and Opposition. Who among the five is best suited and able to participate as members of the government's team?
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL IMPORTANCE
The CSME and the CCJ fall into the category of national and regional importance that requires dialogue, and fit well into Mr. Patterson's second imperative for the Party. Articulation of issues of such importance to national and regional development are of great concern to the delegates of the People's National Party, that have over the last 66 years played a lead role in matters such as this.
The date of the 67th annual conference was moved forward by a week by the NEC last Sunday at the request of the President. This change was done to facilitate his attendance at the Group of 77 and China meeting, which Jamaica will chair. So again delegates must ask themselves who among the five will make not only PNP delegates and members proud, but also the entire Jamaica at an international conference of such significance Mr Patterson will no doubt make a major presentation at that conference in September from a prepared text written by himself and with the help of others but what about the many interviews and impromptu presentations that he will have to give and make. Who among the five will be able to make us as Jamaicans as proud when their time comes?
TRADITIONS OF THE PNP
Leadership is about popularity, yes. But having been elected , one has to be able to demonstrate an ability to lead the PNP and complete the imperatives listed by President P.J. Patterson. Leadership is about assuming a major role in CARICOM, and in the international arena. To do this one needs to have a deep and thorough understanding of such issues and be always prepared and ready to articulate a position that is consistent with the traditions of the PNP from Norman Manley and the start of the anti-apartheid struggle, to Michael Manley's continuation of that, and to P.J. Patterson's leadership of the Group of 77 and China, and his work among members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former member of Parliament.
