D.K. Duncan
IN THE midst of the recent confidence building news on the economy as well as the continued expressions of concern regarding crime and violence, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has pulled off a quiet political coup.
UNITY
Most political observers have concluded that the fact or perception of disunity in the JLP has been a primary cause of their electoral defeat in general elections since 1989. The recent naming of a shadow cabinet by the new leader Bruce Golding carried with it the seeds of disunity. So far, at least in the public domain, there seems to be internal unity or at the very minimum, a lack of public disunity. This has been so in spite of the fact that three prominent members of the former shadow cabinet were not re-appointed.
At another time, the absence of Babsy Grange, Mike Henry and Abe Dabdoub from any JLP team would have provoked different responses, internally and externally. Assuming that party leader Bruce Golding is able to sustain this climate of unity for the two years leading up to the next general election, the JLP would have removed possibly the most damaging issue affecting their recent electoral fortunes.
The People's National Party (PNP) has not suffered from this affliction of disunity for over two decades. However, with the prospect of internal elections for party president, the potential for disunity exists. Among other things, this public unity has been a decisive factor for the PNP in recent elections. The challenge for the party president P.J. Patterson and the leadership contenders is to retain the public perception of unity over the next two years.
With the election of a new PNP president expected in the next 12 months, the new leader will have at least one year after the presidential elections to display this aspect of leadership skill.
GOVERNANCE
Should both parties sustain the image of being united over this period, the major national issues should occupy centre stage.
Between now and the JLP's conference in November, the public can legitimately expect some more information on how the opposition sees these issues. The new shadow cabinet ministers will get a chance to demonstrate their command of the subjects assigned to them. The public in turn will form some view of their ability, individually and as a team, in the area of governance.
November 2005 may be too early, in a tactical sense, for the JLP to provide a manifesto for a 2007 election, but the public will expect some clear positions on critical issues. These would include the economy, crime and violence, education, investment and job opportunities. One gets the impression that the country is getting more and more impatient with short-term solutions,although an appetite for it still exists. The demand for a leadership that can chart a course and stick to it seems to be increasing.
INTEGRITY
Between now and the PNP's September conference, it is safe to assume that there will be a major preoccupation internally with the preparation for party internal elections, including the presidential elections. However the public is not likely to be impressed if those preparations seem to negatively affect the Government's attention to the nation's business.
Separately it should not surprise anyone that the main contenders for leadership in the PNP will come under closer public scrutiny as to personal and public conduct. Already there are all kinds of innuendos in the press and on the ground that state resources are being used to influence support for one candidate or another. If these are not dealt with promptly, the new leader of the PNP will lead from the opposition benches after the next general election. Political observers and commentators also have a responsibility to ascertain the facts before rushing to judgement.
The capacity to unite party and nation, to have a command of the issues as well as unflinching commitment to integrity will be three of the factors determining the success of either party and their leaders in the next two years.
One Love, One Heart.
Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former Cabinet Minister and general secretary in the PNP Administration of the 1970s.
