IT was the importance of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for June 19 that Prime Ministe PJ Patterson was attempting to explain when he used the popular Jamaican talk, ‘one hand can’t clap’.

The PM explained the importance of having the local government under the same management as the central government. “Even if we have a good central government and we have a poor and incompetent local government, we will not be able to improve the quality of life for all the people of Jamaica at the rate and pace we would like because what is happening at the national level is not being supported at the local level.”

He was speaking Friday, Nomination Day at the ceremony for councillor/candidates in Westmoreland and Hanover, which was held at the Negril Hills Golf Club where he presented the seven candidates for Hanover and 13 of the 14 for Westmoreland. Bertel Moore of the Negril Division was unavoidably absent.

In an obviously cheerful mood, Patterson had one regret with the line-up of candidates. ‘A so so man’, was the expression he used. But in the same breath, he charged the candidates to allow the women of the various divisions to play an integral role in any development process.

“As you develop the organisation in your divisions and as you seek to fashion community organization,” says Patterson, “make sure that the women are involved because they are very important contributors to the whole process of social development and upliftment of the people.”

Emphasising that the mandate of the People’s National Party government was to improve the quality of service provided at all levels, Patterson named himself, the ministers of government, members of parliament and the councillors, saying all had important roles to play, as they each formed part of governance and were essential to public accountability.

The prime minister argued that the election was all about the reform of the local government system and a win by his party would allow the government to complete this reform.

In the meantime, Patterson reiterated that he would not be going around with motorcades and bandwagons, as there was work to be done. “I have a government to run and we must continue to manage the affairs of the country, especially at this time.”

Appealing for the vote in Hanover, Patterson said: “I have plans for Lucea, but I want to make sure that I have a local government system in Hanover and representatives in Lucea that can ensure that the programme of government, which is to improve the quality of life, can be pursued with vim and relentless vigour.”

Councillor/candidate for the Savanna-la-Mar division, Delford Morgan in his presentation called for peaceful elections and peace in general. “This election is a contest of ideas and not a conflict to be solved with knives and guns. We need a peaceful election and a peaceful campaign,” begged Morgan. “This country needs peace for its economical and political advancement.”