Hilary Robertson-Hickling

The creativity used by the recently departed opera singer Luciano Pavorotti allowed him to combine two of his passions; the opera and football. Not only did he sing in all of the major opera houses in the world to great acclaim, but he collaborated with pop singers and also brought the Three Tenors to the audience present in football stadia during the Football World Cup. Some people cannot see the connection between the opera and football but both are human pastimes which can be enjoyed by many more people.

In a paradoxical way, our new Prime Minister-designate Bruce Golding will have to combine his passions in politics in Jamaica with the inclusion of those in the Opposition and, most important, with the 40 per cent of the electorate which stayed away from the polls and was, therefore, not even in the stadium to participate in the sport of politics.

He will have to utilise his creativity and more to herald an era of unprecedented collaboration with the members of the Opposition and together they will have to work to regain the trust and engagement of the uncommitted. The lack of commitment in that group leaves them unable and perhaps uncommitted to the critical national tasks of increasing employment, reducing crime, caring for our environment and helping to make Jamaica a more just and prosperous country.

Similarities in both leaders

Believe it or not, both leaders have much in common, a passion for politics in which they have engaged for most of their adult lives, they both are inextricably linked with the parish of St. Catherine, and both have been embroiled in almost fratricidal presidential races in their respective political parties. I assume that they bear the scars of these brutal battles and have found ways of healing their wounds and getting on with their lives. Both are representatives of garrison constituencies in the heart of Kingston which bear the stigma associated with those communities. Yet, these communities contain large numbers of decent hard-working Jamaicans who may be held hostage by a small lawless element and a history of violence.

Both persons are of the generation that came after universal adult suffrage in which the revolutionary idea that one man or woman, no matter what his or her origin or status, could have one vote was born. It is time for us to dispense with the notion that only the propertied classes have rights in this country. We need to stop condemning people as a result of the colour of their skin, the origins of their parents, and we need to acknowledge the sacrifice of those who try to serve us as leaders.

Courage and an understanding of our highest aspirations as Jamaicans, for a country in which we can grow old safely where our children and grandchildren can thrive and where the blood, sweat and tears of the majority of our ancestors can be honoured, make the task of Mr. Golding clear as we approach our 50th birthday in a few years.

Cooperation, collaboration, and mutual respect must be the hallmark of the new political dispensation. We are a difficult people to rule and this is a difficult country, but with commitment, creativity and a recognition that the ranks of the committed can be expanded and can make the task lighter, we can sing from the same page.

Congratulations to our new government.