LIKE most metropolitan countries, Jamaica has always been blessed with a vibrant two-party political system which, under normal circumstances, should have been providing us with a viable alternative government in Opposition when the government of the day failed to live up to the expectations of the people. However, an analysis of our history of governance since Independence leads us immediately to question the competence of several administrations since that time.

In all well-run countries, developed or otherwise, the most important aspect of their governance has always been good economic management since this always impacts in very significant ways on how the rest of the country is run.

Unfortunately for us here in Jamaica, political considerations have too often taken precedence over sound economic judgement with outcomes that are quite often less than desirable. In the case of the PNP, their periods of governance in the 70s, 90s and thereafter brought levels of social and economic dislocation rated among the worst in our recent history. The economic performance of Jamaica under their leadership has been nothing short of abysmal. The evidence is there and speaks for itself.

With their disastrous economic performance in the 70s, their succeeding scandals and numerous charges of corruption, their “run wid it” financial manipulation, their less than stellar performance regarding the recent Caricom conference and their blocking of a continuation of the State of Emergency, one finds it very difficult to remember a time when the PNP put the interests of the country above the interest of the party. Admittedly, there have been times when the JLP displayed its own brand of self-interest above national interests. However, the frequency and overt nature of such misdeeds have been associated more with the PNP than otherwise.

Political tribalism lives on in our system and our old guard of politicians seem bent on maintaining that vindictiveness and stridency which have stayed with us over so many years when relating with each other across party lines. Senior members like Leader of the Opposition Portia Simpson Miller appears imbued with a level of bitterness toward Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the JLP that seems to come from a combination of her removal from power two years ago and an ideological overhang from yesteryear. The PNP must be vigilant lest they allow their party platform to be defined by what seems to have become the personal animosity of their leader toward the prime minister.

With the current cadre of intelligent young leaders in the PNP, one would have expected that they would by now be involved in bringing a new brand of mature, responsible and enlightened leadership to their ranks. Instead, we find them falling in line with the old guard and their doctrine of spin, confrontation and political sophistry while mortgaging their souls on the altar of political expediency.

Instead of concentrating on mature alternative policies in the Parliament, the PNP as Opposition has given the impression that their main aim is to regain power by any means possible. Their four lawsuits regarding dual citizenship in the house; their vote of no-confidence in both the prime minister and the attorney general, and their continued harangue against the government certainly bear this out.

In view of their chequered and non-productive periods of governance, the question must be asked whether the PNP, since our Independence, has had any positive impact on the growth and development of Jamaica as a nation or if it has impeded our economic and social well-being over the years. In other words, has the PNP been good for Jamaica? In the interest of good, balanced and democratic governance, this is a question that must be pondered by all.

It is now high time that the PNP reinvented itself by indulging in some serious introspection with a view to corroborating its aims and objectives as a party with the aspirations of the Jamaican people.

Jamaica now cries out for good, honest and statesmanlike government with a parliament that stands for order and decorum instead of a steady diet of rancour and rabble-rousing which we have been fed to date. It is high time that the interests and needs of the nation be put first in the deliberations of our leaders.

lrobinson22@gmail.com