REGGAE icon, Mr Peter ‘Tosh’ McIntosh popularised the term “politricks” as a euphemism for Jamaican politics. In today’s Jamaica and born of long disappointing experience, a politician is largely regarded as a “fallen” person.

Jamaican politicians are often seen as self-serving and dishonest, concerned about their own self-aggrandisement and in politics for what they can get out of it and not what they can contribute. It is widely believed that politics corrupts, and hence even an honest person will soon be compromised shortly after entry into politics.

This has not always been the case, as there was a time when the popular perception was that people entered electoral politics to give service to their community and country. The late Mr Horace Clarke was one such politician.

Mr Clarke was a decent man who loved his country and dedicated most of his life to serving Jamaica in the political arena. He was solid in stature and in confidence and approached life with a “can do” attitude, evident from his youth when he was a bustling football centre forward. He exuded a calm confidence spiced with a jovial ease that belied his intelligence and a capacity to rise to challenges.

A very affable man, Mr Clarke was liked by all, especially in his beloved St Mary where he never lost an election. He never let political partisanship become political animosity, dismissing political opponents with good humour and astute grass-root politics.

An accountant by profession, he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1972 as part of one of the most popular People’s National Party (PNP) administrations led by Mr Michael Manley, He was re-elected in constituencies of North St Mary, West Central St Mary and Central St Mary until his retirement from active electoral politics in 2002. He never lost an election on behalf of the PNP nor within the party serving as a vice-president. His competence and versatility were evident in his tenures as a minister in Public Utilities and Transport, Mining and Energy, and Agriculture.

Since retirement from electoral politics, he has devoted his energies to business and established the Mystic Mountain nature attraction next door to Dunn’s River Falls.

Mr Horace Antonio Clarke was a man of the people and for the people. He was a decent and patriotic man who served his country well. He will be missed, but not forgotten, for his name will be called with respect and fondness.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his widow, Norma, the rest of the Clarke family and his wider PNP family.