Note: The following column was originally written for Sunday, January 8, but did not arrive in time for publication.

AS we begin the year-long observance of 2012 as the 50th anniversary of political independence, Portia Simpson Miller has once again taken the helm of the ship of state, this time vowing to complete the process of Jamaican sovereignty; and renewing hope in the possibility of economic prosperity and social transformation.

“This 50th Anniversary year will be a time for reflection on the lessons of the past; and, as we celebrate our achievements as an independent nation, we now need to complete the circle of independence.”

“In this regard, we will initiate the process for our detachment from the monarchy to become a republic, with our own indigenous president as head of state,” she declared Thursday, January 5, at her swearing-in at King’s House as prime minister of Jamaica for the second time in just over five years.

While expressing respect and admiration for the country’s constitutional head of state, the Queen, Mrs Simpson Miller told thousands of supporters that “time come” for ending a structure that has survived through centuries of slavery, colonialism and the first 50 years of Independence.

The proposed constitutional change would be complemented by adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Jamaica’s final Court of Appeal, replacing the United Kingdom Privy Council, and thereby ending what the prime minister called “judicial surveillance” from London.

These are major constitutional developments that have long been on the policy agenda of successive People’s National Party (PNP) administrations and other nationalists who believe that the independence constitution of 1962 was incomplete.

It may now be the right time to complete the process: with the symbolism of the Golden Jubilee to spark a rekindling of the nationalist spirit, a huge mandate in the December 29 general election, and indications that the defeated Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) may look on these constitutional changes with greater favour than in the past, Mrs Simpson Miller must be given better than even odds of getting bipartisan approval for them in the new Parliament.

Terminating the monarchy and establishing the Republic of Jamaica (within the Commonwealth) will cost money and take time, including a referendum; but it is a step that we must take and now is the right time.

But even if she gets the constitutional changes done, the prime minister knows that her administration will be judged by the extent to which it does not repeat the mistakes that brought down the JLP after just one term.

These mistakes included loss of trust with the electorate; corrupting key elements of the State machinery in support of the head of a major criminal enterprise now awaiting sentencing in the United States; lack of accountability and transparency in vital areas of public expenditure; an arrogant tone in the conduct of public affairs; and an economy that has left more people worse off than they were four years ago.

Striking the right tone

The Portia Simpson Miller who took the oath of office Thursday to uphold the Constitution and, “in all things”, to be a “true and faithful prime minister” appeared very different from the leader who replaced PJ Patterson in 2006.

She is much more confident, more decisive and appears to be in harmony with her inner self. Like good steel, she has — in her own words — been “tested and tempered” and has “emerged a stronger, better prepared person” to lead the country at a time when the domestic economy is in disarray and globally, the crisis of capitalism deepens with no clear resolution in Europe and the United States.

While remaining deeply grounded in her faith and values, her words and image now suggest that she no longer feels the need to remind everyone that she was the ‘little girl from Wood Hall’ who had triumphed against all odds to rise to the highest office in the land. Now, there seems to be a clearer recognition that the prize is not the office but what is done with it.

Mrs Simpson Miller struck the right tone for the occasion and the times: “On my watch, I pledge that the rule of law will be paramount; and we will serve with humility. On my watch, I pledge that we will honour the faith and trust of the Jamaican people. On my watch, I pledge that we will reject governmental extravagance and be vigilant in eliminating corruption.”

She plans to lead an administration characterised by “respect, responsibility and trustworthiness”. She delivered a clear message of personal responsibility to each Jamaican from every walk of life: “Try to improve yourself by reinvesting in your personal development.” That’s a message worth restating in a country where too many of us see ourselves as victims.

Tone aside, though, the disarray in public finances and wide-scale joblessness did not change with the arrival of a new prime minister and Government.

So, in the weeks and months ahead the country expects clear signs that the administration is beginning to deliver on the promise to ease the pressure for jobs in the context of “a more transparent and accountable Government”.

The spotlight of public scrutiny will, quite correctly, remain focused on the prime minister’s resolve to use State resources to stimulate employment through the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) in the short and medium term.

“We will do so in a transparent and non-partisan manner, to improve critical areas, such as the infrastructure and the environment, which support economic growth,” said Mrs Simpson Miller.

We’ll be watching to ensure that taxpayers get value. The kind of reckless spending, under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme, reported by the Auditor General, cannot be repeated under JEEP or any other programme the administration may undertake.

The financial markets will be watching to see the extent to which she maintains what former Finance Minister Audley Shaw used to call the platform of macro-economic stability built on stable exchange rate, lower interest rate, adequate foreign exchange reserves, low inflation — which should all lead to sustained economic growth.

The administration will also be judged on the extent to which it registers real progress in the fight against corruption.

Some specific measures can be taken with little or no additional pressure on the budget: establishing an appropriate framework to investigate and prosecute persons involved in corruption; imposing criminal sanctions for violation of the rules governing the award of contracts, and making provision that contracts issued without the proper procedures and authorisation be rendered null and void and unenforceable. These require political will, not more money.

My preference is for strengthening the Office of Contractor General by giving it the power to investigate and prosecute persons on corruption charges.

There can be debate on what is the best constitutional arrangement to enforce accountability in public spending or to punish those who corruptly use their public office. There is no debating that this was one of the clear messages from the electorate.

kcr@cwjamaica.com