The Editor, Sir:

In recent comments on radio, the highly respected Mr Frank Phipps, QC, speaking for himself and the venerable Farquharson Institute, expressed strong doubts about the value of the Vale Royal bipartisan process, advancing the view that it should be scrapped. Mr Phipps' main argument in support of this position is that the people's business should be discussed openly in Parliament, and not be dealt with in private conclaves of the leadership of the political parties.

Not to be underestimated

One does not lightly disagree with the opinions of this elder statesman of the legal fraternity, who brings much knowledge, wisdom, and experience in political affairs to bear in determining his considered views. I would, nevertheless, caution very strongly against underestimating the importance of the Vale Royal process - and this not necessarily for what it may or may not have achieved so far, but rather for the enormous potential for good that it represents.

The fact is that the Vale Royal process is not, and can never be, a substitute for discussion of the people's business in Parliament. Indeed, in a functioning democracy, the people's business will always be subject to vigorous public discussion in and out of Parliament. One should, therefore, see the Vale Royal discussions not as something subversive of wider democratic debate, but rather as an element - and admittedly a strategically important one - in the policy process.

There are grave issues in Jamaican society that cry out for sensible political bipartisanship if the country is to be governable. Vale Royal cannot proceed in a vacuum, oblivious of the articulation of public sentiment. At the same time, it can serve to temper the natural tendency in Parliament to engage in political one-upmanship, which so often gets in the way of urgently needed bipartisanship.

Stark reality

Fundamentally, in the end, it has to be recognised that the leaders who meet at Vale Royal are not there for the sake of their individual personal egos and good looks. The stark reality, whether we like it or not, is that they reflect the two major organised and evenly balanced political blocs in the country which have survived repeated third party attempts to invade their space, and which must find accommodation with each other, regardless of which side forms the government from time to time.

For the sake of all of us who must live with this reality, let us hope that the Vale Royal process can be one instrument, among others, for forging that accommodation.

I am, etc,

RODERICK RAINFORD

rgrainford@cwjamaica.com

Maryland, St Andrew