Beverly Anderson -Manley
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2006 a new Governor-General will be sworn in. This is the first time in independent Jamaica that a Jamaican Governor-General is not a former Member of Parliament from one of the two political parties - the People's National Party or the Jamaica Labour Party. In spite of their socialisation within tribal politics our Governors-General, operating under both political administrations, have carried out their duties and responsibilities in non-partisan political ways.
Despite the scepticism surrounding the appointment of the first Jamaican Governor-General, Sir Clifford Campbell by a JLP administration, Sir Clifford rose to the occasion and set the tone of non-partisanship for succeeding Governors-General, Sir Florizel Glasspole and Sir Howard Cooke and their Ladies.
"FLORIZEL A YOU DAT"!
To illustrate the point: during one of the many times of trauma inside the PNP during the seventies, a senior party member, who was seen as a right winger and therefore ideologically compatible with the Governor-General, was dispatched by the party to sensitise him on certain issues. In particular, these issues had to do with Democratic Socialism and how that ideology had nothing to do with Communism.
The senior party member in reporting on the discussion with the then Governor-General said, inter alia, that the conversation bordered on hostility - to the extent that at one stage this well-speaking Comrade had to say to the G-G in amazement - "Florizel - a you dat"!
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson must be commended in taking this bold step to appoint an academic to this post - when it must have been tempting, in keeping with tradition, to select someone from the PNP ranks. Therefore, unlike his predecessors, Professor Hall's appointment is not a reward for services rendered to the political parties.
Outgoing Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke have served us well. But always in the background was Sir Howard's involvement in partisan politics at the highest levels. The message is one thing but it cannot be de-linked from the messenger. Without the tribal background, our Governors-General could have operated at extraordinary levels. This is where the new Governor-General has an opportunity that the others did not have.
MOVING TO ANOTHER LEVEL
It is time now to move to another level as we welcome Professor Kenneth Hall, Pro Vice Chancellor and principal of the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). He has had a distinguished career in academia in Jamaica and overseas.
Professor Hall who celebrates his 65th birthday in April of this year comes to this position highly qualified and competent to undertake the roles and responsibilities of this high, although largely ceremonial office.
RENEWING OURSELVES AND OUR POLITICS
It is time to renew ourselves and our politics. Jamaica needs now more than ever before, a high level public official who can command the respect of both political parties and the silent majority who are not involved in partisan politics. Professor Hall has the opportunity to be that symbol of hope, peace and healing in our society. He has the qualifications and skills. He has the personality. And he comes without the partisan political baggage.
He does not come alone. His wife, Rheima Holding-Hall is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Allister McIntyre Centre at UWI. A lay reader in the Anglican Church, she is an artist in her own right.
We welcome them both even as we challenge them to provide that space within which Jamaicans can pursue possibilities that can so transform our institutions and our society that we can genuinely put Jamaica above partisan/tribal politics.
Beverley Anderson Manley is a political scientist, gender specialist and broadcaster. Email: BManley@kasnet.com
