Professor of American History, the late Dexter Perkins, once said: “History is a kind of introduction to more interesting people than we can possibly meet in our restricted lives; let us not neglect the opportunity.”

I mention this because there are those who prefer to neglect history if that history is kind to someone they dislike. However, their appreciation of history grows if it is kind to someone they esteem. Many have branded Portia Simpson Miller an intellectual lightweight; others see her as the most “hands-off” prime minister in Jamaica’s history.

What they would never tell you, though, is that it was Portia, then minister of labour, welfare and sport, and not the erudite and astutely micro-managerial Edward Seaga, who told Parliament in 1989 that the police were investigating JAG Smith, former JLP minister of labour, for irregularities unearthed by the auditor general. JAG Smith was found guilty in 1990, sentenced to five years in prison; however, his prison term was subsequently reduced to three years.

This preamble is relevant because it crystallises my point of view that Portia Simpson Miller has the leadership hardware to be a good prime minister. Those who continue to doubt that she has this hardware may want to hark back to 2004 when, as acting prime minister and local government minister, she abstained from voting with the People’s National Party (PNP) on sizeable reductions in the allocation to the fire brigade services.

Fast-forward to today, when she is competently presiding over one of the most comprehensive economic reform programmes ever undertaken in recent times. Dr Peter Phillips could not execute the International Monetary Fund programme, nor implement reforms, without the broad seal of approval of the prime minister and Cabinet.

Admittedly, it is hard to talk about Portia and computers in the same sentence, if even allegorically, because she is anything but robotic. That aside, the most important aspect of a computer is not necessarily its casing, vital though that is. The most important thing about the computer is its speed, functionality and the size of its brain — the Central Processing Unit (CPU). When applied to leadership, a leader must possess both (software and hardware) because they are as indispensable as they are inseparable.

The subject of leadership software manifested itself during the 2006 PNP presidential race to replace the politically venerable P J Patterson. Readers may recall my assessment of the leadership strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the four aspirants (Blythe, Davies, Phillips, and Portia) vying for the PNP presidency and ultimately the prime ministership. The assessment evaluated the extent to which, in my opinion, these individuals would position themselves to lead the country towards accomplishing the mission of “reconstructing the social and economic society and life of Jamaica…” as ascribed by Norman Manley during his 1969 farewell message.

Cognisant of the reality that no one individual would ever possess all the enabling leadership attributes, the focus shifted to that one individual who I thought understood the struggles and suffering of the masses and would be brave enough to take ameliorative actions.

In that regard, practical intelligence, honesty, humility, believability, fearlessness, malleability, and spirituality were some of the salient leadership software capabilities included. Portia, though imperfect, best reflected those attributes. Furthermore, it occurred to me, then, that she stood the best chance of mobilising the entire country around a common set of national priorities.

As I saw it, Jamaicans had already adjusted to, and were comfortable with, the rhythm of Portia’s leadership software. Therefore, very few expected her CPU to focus on intellectual fecundity at the expense of producing practical solutions for the myriad problems that existed. Portia won the PNP presidency, became prime minister but she led the PNP to electoral defeat in 2007.

On the eve of the 2011 general election, Portia made one of the greatest and most impassioned political closing statements I had ever heard. She delivered that closing statement extemporaneously, but with confidence, believability and sincerity. The style and substance of her delivery were equally impressive.

Her delivery knew no dawn. It came way after sunset and gave birth to a sunrise of hope and expectations that, finally, when Portia gets her own mandate she will use it to reshape the Jamaican society and re-fashion the Jamaican dream.

Accompanying her speech was the imagery of a leader whose hardware of courage, resilience, preparedness and grit was refreshing and enthralling. Evident for all to see, was a reformed leader who, having previously served as prime minister, had learnt some lessons about leadership and managing the “prime minister wuk”.

Remember, the PNP came to power on the back of strong public dissatisfaction and disaffection with the Golding-led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Administration. The Government had so seriously breached public trust that not even Prince Andrew could cross it.

Portia promised a Government of openness, accountability and humility. Yet, the Government has become arrogant, and the prime minister appears to be in perpetual hiding as though she lives in a bunker. As with any purchase, the Central Westmoreland victory notwithstanding, voters have begun to wonder if they bought the proverbial “puss-in-a-bag”. Buyers’ remorse and post-purchase dissonance have taken root and the prime minister appears to be in over her head at times.

Some Jamaicans are disappointed by the slow speed, functionality and capacity of Portia’s leadership software. Her leadership casing (hardware) was so alluring, very few even bothered to consider the “size of their own derriere before swallowing the Abba-seeds” in 2011. Beneath it all, there is one enduring quality about Portia — she remains believable. This is why her reluctance to communicate frequently with the Jamaica media and people remains enigmatically clumsy.

Sometimes it is necessary to upgrade or replace the software to achieve optimal results. Portia may have it in her to exceed expectations and to deliver as none before her. However, this is purely aspirational. It reminds me of unrealised gains — existing only on paper until it is converted to cash.

Madam Prime Minister, your leadership software leaves much to be desired at times. Almost three years into your premiership many are wondering what has happened to the confidence you projected and the hope you so eloquently expressed.

Is it that you have become so slavishly fascinated by your political triumphs that you no longer understand the purpose of your mandate? Have the ‘doubting Thomases’ succeeded in clipping your wings of confidence, that even you have become unconfident? We see elements of your self-doubt in the Parliament all the time.

The virtual tug-o-war, hauling and pulling, between Government MPs to advise you what to say, or what not say, not only makes for confusion, but it is embarrassing to say the least. We wish you would just say to them, “Cho, di whola unno leave mi alone nuh, mek mi answer the darn questions the way mi know how…”

Can you hold your own by showing us the leadership software you possess?

Burnscg@aol.com