In the absence of a sitting Parliament, the two major political parties have fittingly showed national solidarity even before the onslaught of Hurricane Dean. Prime Minister and president of the PNP, Portia Simpson Miller, and JLP Leader Bruce Golding have agreed to cooperate to deal with the emergency.

As agreed between them, a bipartisan committee is to monitor and coordinate whatever relief responses will be necessary in the wake of what was anticipated to be the most severe hurricane to hit since Gilbert wrought islandwide havoc in 1988.

With both parties having suspended campaigning for the duration, it remains to be seen whether the election date of next Monday, August 27, will still hold. The Governor-General has the constitutional authority, which we expect he would exercise in consultation with the appropriate agencies, to postpone the date for up to 30 days.

Any new date would be determined in light of the extent of damage not only to facilities connected with conducting the election, but also in response to the impact on lives and property. The Weather Channel broadcasting from Miami, Florida, repeatedly laid stress on the size and intensity of Hurricane Dean.

The earliest reports indicated some loss of life in the small islands of the Lesser Antilles as the hurricane moved westward through the Caribbean Sea with minimal impact on the southern coastlines of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.As this is written in advance of the impact on Jamaica, we note with some misgiving that the much trumpeted calls for drain cleaning to minimise the effects of flooding have not had maximum effect. As we reported last Saturday, the National Works Agency, through Manager of Communications Stephen Shaw, said that recent rains drain cleaning had been repeated in St. Ann, St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas and rural St. Andrew. Major work had also been done in the Corporate Area, but in areas such as along Marcus Garvey Drive, Mr. Shaw said, "it is quite sad that persons dump garbage in these drains."

This points to a lack of civic pride on the part of unthinking persons who are often quick to chide Government, both local and national, for inadequate responses to the breakdown of public facilities. The hurricane's impact on roads and utility installations is likely to be severe, and while the authorities must respond appropriately, citizens must also exercise civic responsibility. We are relieved that the political campaigning has been suspended. Even with only a week to go, we sense that the electorate had begun to feel saturated by the appeals for partisan support. It is most commendable, therefore, that both party leaders have shown that 'Jamaica land we love' is the fitting focus for the energies of the nation at this time. Surveying the extent of damage must now move apace so that relief of any loss or suffering can be extended with expedition.