PERCIVAL JAMES Patterson exits Jamaica's political stage today having carved a special niche for himself among the many persons who have given years of committed public service to the people of this country.
He played a significant part in ensuring that Jamaica as part of the developing world's voice was heard in international fora while he was at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in the government of the 1970s. In the process he earned much respect for himself as for the country for the leadership role he provided especially among Caribbean colleagues.
Subsequent to assuming the leadership of the People's National Party in 1992, Mr. Patterson's political savvy guided his party into being the most successful in national electoral contests. And for this he has the distinction of being Jamaica's longest-serving Prime Minister. While he has been credited with having played a significant role in defusing political tension, his reluctance to take decisive steps to deal with corruption and disciplinary actions against some of his ministers of government have left a deep stain on his record of service. There was much talk during his tenure about the tremendous negative impact that the fight for scarce benefits and spoils had on the country's political culture. Yet, very little by way of practical action was done to address these issues in a concrete manner. His successor Mrs. Portia Simpson Miller now has the opportunity to deal more effectively with those areas that he seemed slow to tackle.
We note too that Mr. Patterson did not seem to demonstrate the deep passion for social reform as did his mentor Michael Manley nor the zeal for a more holistic societal transformation as did his erstwhile political opponent, Edward Seaga. But we can be agreed that in his own way, he was no less concerned about the development of the Jamaican society. His push for the improvement of our major network of roads and highways will bear fruit for some years to come. A full assessment of his legacy - political, social and
economic - has yet to be done. The perspectives from his ardent supporters and detractors will undoubtedly differ sharply. Future generations of Jamaicans who will have to live with the consequences of his government's policies, will either applaud him or condemn him for the stewardship he offered over the past 15 years.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
