Portia must lead beyond quid pro quo politics

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dear Editor,

If Portia Simpson Miller runs the country as she ran her election campaign I believe that she could be an effective prime minister.

In her swearing-in ceremony, she mentioned several themes, ranging from running a government of accountability and transparency to practising non-partisan decision-making. Portia has experience in governance, leadership, and management and if she uses those principles to her optimal level of efficiency, then the country should see measurable progress.

However, I would caution her not to over-read the results of the election because several factors contributed to the JLP's loss, including but not limited to:

(1) the global economic conditions

(2) global anti-incumbency

(3) revenue reduction from the bauxite industry

(4) the collapse of the informal investment schemes, and

(5) a lack of understanding of basic economics principles. For example, someone with a reasonable level of education said: "I am voting PNP because under Portia, the interest rate will go up to over 20 per cent and I will be able live off the interest paid on my savings."

How many Jamaicans think this way?

I was pleased when Portia mentioned macroeconomics, central to economic development. She should make every effort to build on the JLP Government's Jamaica Debt Exchange programme, which has an acceptance rating of 99 per cent and is often touted as the most successful sovereign-debt restructuring programme ever undertaken in any country in the world.

If Portia is to be successful, she will have to lead beyond the quid pro quo politics. I am disappointed that she has begun by appointing a large Cabinet to satisfy those who won seats in the general election.

In her explanation, she said: "I have added some young persons so that they can begin to understudy the seniors." Her explanation of succession planning shows a lack of understanding of the term because an individual does not have to be a minister of government to be a candidate for succession planning.

I am offering the following suggestions to the PM as she seeks to move the country forward:

(1) appoint a competent team of advisers because the qualities of the leader determine who is in the inner circle,

(2) reform the public sector pension system because the Government cannot afford a non-contributory pension system, and

(3) form an economic team with the best minds in the country and get the business sector on her side, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurialism.

Henry J Findlay

Hyahen@aol.com

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Portia must lead beyond quid pro quo politics