Yesterday's death of Hugh Lawson Shearer was not entirely unexpected.

At 81, he had lived a relatively long life and it was well known that he had been ailing for some time.

But Mr Shearer's death is a loss for Jamaica. It marks an end of an era for the island's trade union movement and the removal of a person who made a monumental contribution to
Jamaica's social and political development.

But to us, what is even more important, it is the end of a decent human being. Which is what, we believe, primarily defined the man.

The fact is that Hugh Shearer was without hubris. So having led, he could follow, unconstrained by bitterness or resentment against those who might have undermined his authority and influence.

At party politics he competed vigorously, but set clear boundaries beyond which partisanship could not cross. He was clear that whatever the differences in philosophy or ideology his opponents, like himself, had the best interest of Jamaica at heart.

His view was that persuasive argument, rather than attempts at annihilation, was the better tool to achieve one's end and, more important, to take Jamaica forward. For that, ultimately, was Hugh Shearer's goal: the advancement of Jamaica.

This inherent decency played in ways other than how he conducted his politics. Or how he treated the important, powerful and influential. This towering personality had the common touch. He was at ease with, and made it easy for, ordinary people.

And there was nothing contrived about the engagement. You felt that he was one of us. He understood our concerns and empathised with our pain, the communication uncluttered by one's circumstance.

The bottom line is that for all his achievements, as prime minister and global statesman, Hugh Shearer never forgot his roots that sprung deep from the broad mass of Jamaican people. And for as long as he was capable, he remained a die-hearted trade unionist concerned with bettering the interest of those people.

It was an aim he made plain - and often. But not from a position of arrogant opposition.

For it was a measure of Mr Shearer's capacity and quiet depth that he understood, and fully appreciated, that in the absence of wealth what is left to distribute is poverty. He was therefore, as a trade unionist, in the business of wealth creation for worker and employer. It was a philosophy that guided his business of government.

Like all great men who do things and at times take risks, Hugh Lawson Shearer, skilled negotiator, outstanding politician, grand trade unionist, decent human being, made his fair share of mistakes. They will be raked over and analysed as the society delves deeper into his significance to Jamaica and his contribution to the country.

But it says something that someone who spent so long in public life, did so much and was so involved, emerged so unscathed and could sit so easily in the role of elder statesman.

The reason, we think, is simple. The critical characteristic of Hugh Shearer is that he was decent. And we couldn't have asked for more.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World