Dear Editor

I watched a stream of the highly anticipated debate, Portia Simpson Miller vs Andrew Holness. While most media reports downplayed the overall success, I think what they’re really conceding was that Holness did not blow us away (as so many thought he would), neither did he crush his opponent Portia Simpson Miller.

In fact, Portia Simpson Miller actually surprised many, including myself. She was calm, stately, cool and actually delivered. Her points were clear, she did not beat around the bush, you knew her position in clear language. As for the idea of a Jamaican queen, which evoked laughter and follow-up jokes in the media, I think most people misunderstood, or were too caught up in political hype to find the humour in her figurative way of speech.

It would be downright absurd to think she meant a Jamaican could assume the role of queen within the Constitutional monarchy. It is equally absurd to think she was suggesting we create our own royal family and crown a local queen. It was quite clear what she meant, since she elaborated that as Government, she would push to break away from the Westminster model, and by so doing break away from the British Monarch as head of state, using a Jamaican to preside and function over our own affairs, without any form of outside foreign control. In fact, she elaborated clearly on this point. I have to be clear, I’m not a fan of the monarchy, the British royal family cost their taxpayers millions of pounds annually (last check, around 38.5 million pounds or US$63.5 million excluding cost of security)! They are certainly one of the world’s richest families.

And despite their cultural and historical significance, their purpose and is outdated and questionable in my opinion, in a modern & realistic world. And there are many British who share this opinion also, many of whom would rather their tax dollars be spent more productively on education and badly needed social services, etc. But if the majority of British people want to keep the monarchy, that is also their business. There are also many Commonwealth countries that have a growing sentiment, now questioning the role and function of the monarchy, the flamboyant lifestyle and acts of indulgence, mostly paid for by hard-working taxpayers. As an independent country ourselves, we must look after our own affairs, in our own interest and take steps to break away from any form of foreign control, directly or indirectly. These are relevant issues in any modern day political debate and the idea of a Jamaican queen, or whatever you might title the new role, is not exactly far-fetched, even after all the laughter has died down.

So while many might be doubtful or on the fence with Simpson Miller (including myself), the debate showed that she has grown and matured over the years, and learned more about the art of public relations. She showed she is far more aware now and this came across in her delivery, even despite not having “the gift of gab”. After the debate, it was quite clear she will be a force to reckon with in the upcoming elections, and cannot be ignored, it will not be a ‘walk-over’ election.

The electorate will now have to decide what they want, who they want, and most importantly which direction and team of leaders they want to lead them over the next couple of years.

P.Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com

Canada