JAMAICA'S prime minister, Mr Bruce Golding, and his entire Cabinet need to take a step back, take a deep breath and think seriously on what they are about.

There is a growing sense that two-and-a-half years into its occupancy, the Jamaica Labour Party Government is in grave danger of drowning in its own arrogance.

Further, it is showing a disturbing propensity for confusion and thoughtlessness.

We were struck by the prime minister's dismissive, if not contemptuous, response to Opposition member Mr Peter Phillips' query in the House of Representatives on the Harold Brady/ Manatt, Phelps & Phillips issue.

It now seems clear that whatever may come of this latest firestorm, Mr Golding's initial response to the Opposition member's question was at best premature and ill-informed.

The subsequent revelation by the prime minister that after "investigations" he was told of contact between the solicitor general, Mr Douglas Leys, attorney Mr Harold Brady, and the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips on issues relating to extradition has left the Government with a lot of egg on its face. It is an issue that could easily get worse before it gets better for the Government. As our sister publication, the Sunday Observer, pointed out yesterday, apart from other considerations, there is the puzzle of who paid whom, for what, and for what purpose.

Mr Golding could have maintained considerable credibility for himself and his Government had he first informed himself properly before responding to the question in Parliament. All of this has not overshadowed that most pressing matter of the Government's refusal to go the course of the courts in dealing with the United States Government's request for the extradition of Mr Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

In all his explanations on this issue, Mr Golding has apparently lost sight of something that is plain to see. That as member of parliament for West Kingston, the home base of Mr Coke, he, Mr Golding, by refusing to utilise the courts, is entangling himself in a conflict of interest.

Then there is the allegation that the tourism ministry breached procurement rules and that the minister, Mr Edmund Bartlett, may even have misled the Cabinet on the airlift agreement with American Airlines. There is plenty of evidence that the agreement worked for the good of Jamaica's tourism. But on the substantive allegations, Mr Golding and his Government need to recognise that they must account to the Jamaican people.

And, as if all that was not enough, we hear Labour Minister Mr Pearnel Charles's extraordinarily insensitive "uptown"/ "downtown" remark to hard-working, under-paid nurses — speaking as if from another time.

Mr Golding and his government need to get a grip. The nation is in dire straits, economically and socially. It is needful of all responsible, law-abiding segments pulling together as one. That won't happen if the Government continues on the current course.

  1 comments

  2 comments

  3 comments

  1 comments

  1 comments

  14 comments

  7 comments

  6 comments

  1 comments

  4 comments

  10 comments

  12 comments

  3 comments

  12 comments

  11 comments

  6 comments

  4 comments

  16 comments

  16 comments

  3 comments