Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Editorial
November 30, 2013

The law is an ass, so move on, Dr Tufton

It is not for nothing that Charles Dickens used the phrase “the law is an ass” in his 1838 novel Oliver Twist. But like it or not, we are a country of laws and not of men.

Hence we abide by last week’s ruling of the Supreme Court in rejecting the injunction to stay the immorally enforced resignation of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) senators Dr Christopher Tufton and Arthur Williams. The law may be an ass, but it is our law.

We think that in time JLP Leader Mr Andrew Holness will see the folly of his ruthless and unwise purge of the party after a leadership election, which should be seen as par for the course in any democratic organisation.

His ouster of Dr Tufton from the Shadow Cabinet, the Senate and the leadership of the party was a cynical one pushed by party elders carrying out their hidden agenda.

Mr Holness seems to have accepted that someone like a Dr Tufton is necessary in the party’s Senate team, as evidenced by his selection of the brilliant Dr Nigel Clarke. At the same he seems to be saying: “See, I am not afraid of having bright people around me!”

Of course, Mr Holness’s purge bears stark contrast to how Mrs Portia Simpson Miller and the People’s National Party (PNP) handled Mr K D Knight, who had made some very strong statements expressing his doubt about her capacity to be the kind of leader that Jamaica needed.

Mrs Simpson Miller showed maturity and self-confidence in tolerating a variety of views within the PNP’s democratic internal politics. This gesture paid huge dividends when the party regained power only four years later.

Yet, as he moves on, Dr Tufton must realise that party politics is not the only way to give national service. Jamaica is badly and urgently in need of politically independent interventions. Jamaicans For Justice co-founder Dr Carolyn Gomes is an example of someone who has had a major impact on political issues in Jamaica outside of the ambit of the major political parties.

Dr Tufton is already the head of the country’s leading think tank, the Caribbean Policy Research Institute. Jamaica desperately needs empirical-based policy analysis to help relieve the current economic paralysis, exponentially growing crime and social distress.

He should resume his career as a university lecturer, enriched by his policy experience, and write on policy issues. He is well qualified because he holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Manchester University, a Master’s Degree in Marketing from Georgia State University and a BSc in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies.

Dr Tufton need not give up party politics entirely, but could take a sabbatical and wait for the call. Given the paucity of talent it might not be long before he receives such a call, conceivably even from the PNP.

This mode of advancement in politics is what has been called the technocratic route to power. It was pioneered by Mr Michael Manley, who was enamoured with bright, ambitious technocrats, many of whom answered the call and left the lecterns of academia for the ministerial ranks, for example, Messrs Paul Robertson, Peter Phillips and Omar Davies.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Leaders set blistering pace at Sandals US Travel Advisors Golf Tournament
Latest News, Sports
Leaders set blistering pace at Sandals US Travel Advisors Golf Tournament
ANDRE LOWE Sports content manager lowea@jamaicaobserver.com 
September 11, 2026
The Nicklaus team produced a remarkable opening round of 60 to establish an early lead at the 22nd staging of the Sandals US Travel Advisors Golf Tour...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Chicken’ killed in St Andrew police shootout; illegal gun seized
Latest News, News
‘Chicken’ killed in St Andrew police shootout; illegal gun seized
September 11, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —A man was shot dead during a alleged confrontation with the police at Lincoln Alley in St Andrew on Friday morning. The dead man ha...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
JPS Freezer Swap Initiative in Riverton Meadows empowers small business operators
Advertisement, Latest News, Social Love
JPS Freezer Swap Initiative in Riverton Meadows empowers small business operators
September 11, 2026
JPS, through its Community Renewal Department, has taken another step to empower residents in the Riverton Meadows community, more popularly known as ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaican boxers make weight ahead of Caribbean showdown
Latest News, News
Jamaican boxers make weight ahead of Caribbean showdown
September 11, 2026
GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Jamaicans Daniel Hylton and Toriano Nicholas have successfully made weight ahead of their respective bouts at the Caribbean Boxin...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
CPFSA removes five abandoned babies from Spanish Town Hospital
Latest News, News
CPFSA removes five abandoned babies from Spanish Town Hospital
September 11, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has removed all five babies who were previously abandoned by their parents ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News, News, Videos
Market Bag: Peppers hit $700, lettuce now $1,500 as food prices continue to soar
September 11, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Food prices continue to rise at the Coronation Market in downtown Kingston as farmers struggle with the effects of a worsening dro...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
APB recovers $17.6m in stolen agriculture produce
Latest News, News
APB recovers $17.6m in stolen agriculture produce
September 11, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica   — The Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reporting the recovery of more than $17.6 mi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Cashan urges fans to ‘Take It Easy’ amid social media pressure
Entertainment, Latest News
Cashan urges fans to ‘Take It Easy’ amid social media pressure
September 11, 2026
Reggae singer Cashan is encouraging listeners to resist the pressure of social media and allow success to unfold naturally with her latest single, Tak...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct