MR Bruce Golding will continue as prime minister and his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will continue to form the Government. This is the political reality which emerged from the ‘Dudus’ affair and deliberations over the weekend.

But the Jamaican body politic appears healthy. Because the PM’s apology and commitment to do what is right was not a result of the JLP coming to its senses or any light of revelation on the road to Vale Royal.

Mr Golding was baptised by public opinion forcefully articulated by civil society organisations armed with the facts which the PM and the JLP were compelled to reveal, after the intervention of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP). The media too, in all its forms, kept up relentless pressure on the Government. All this augurs well for the future of democracy because politics is too important to be left to politicians.

For Mr Golding, as we stressed yesterday in this space, it must be deeds, not words, henceforth. We suggest that if he wants to win back his Jamaican bride, he must urgently address the following five points:

* Speedy and transparent completion of the extradition process for Mr Christopher Coke, in which Mr Coke should be allowed his full legal rights. Jamaica’s international co-operation must be streamlined and reinforced so that there is sustained and cerebral diplomatic dialogue, no legal ambiguities, inadequate information exchange or political interference.

* The raft of legislation, reforms and administrative measures visualised and promised by Mr Golding since the days of the National Democratic Movement must be efficaciously drafted, debated and implemented. The institutions that monitor the transparency and integrity of governance must have their powers strengthened, their independence entrenched and their operations adequately funded.

* A genuine bi-partisan consensus must be forged between the JLP and the PNP which must bring crime and violence within limits that allow a civilised society to flourish. Jamaica must sever the nexus between criminals and politicians which finds its most dangerous expression in garrison politics. Nothing less is required to rescue the land we love from the tipping point of rivalry between parallel systems of legal and illegal governance.

* A concerted international campaign must be launched to rebuild Jamaica’s reputation and to maintain the tourism sector which is now the life blood of the economy. Jamaica’s reputation, already badly tarnished by violence and ganja, hit a new low where we are being described as a pariah state governed by the dons of transnational drug cartels rooted in the ghettoes of Kingston and assorted “deep rural” communities. Mr Golding’s renowned eloquence and intellect could be invaluable in this endeavour.

* The economic programme in collaboration with the IMF must be kept on track and sustained for the entire course. This is difficult, given the technical weakness of the Ministry of Finance and the absence of a tradition of fiscal discipline. Sticking to the programme will only bring growth if crime is brought under control.

We, the people, must demand the highest standards of our politicians, hold them to account and, as recent events have demonstrated, exercise our influence in ways other than only through voting in elections. As a society, we must accept that certain things have to be done, even if painful.

And it’s time to end the political point-scoring.