JAMAICA now faces its most serious constitutional crisis: a corruption issue to rock an IMF deal, creditors and probity of our institutions, even the party — after all, the JLP is the alternative government.

Ex-Prime Minister Andrew Holness and JLP senators are mired in deceit. Some time around 2012, reportedly, Holness colluded with Arthur Williams to concoct a device which might frustrate the rule of law, our constitution, and may deceive Jamaicans. Two JLP Senators — at least — signed the deal, thus limiting their ability to discharge duties as senators. This was secret, not in public records. The miscreants hid as it was illegal and immoral. Then came treachery — there is always a ‘falling out’; lawsuits followed; no more secret. As one fisherman said, “The ship hit the fan, Boss!” This mischief, concocted in secret, threatens our way of life and nation. The remedy for two senators to be reinstated is risible. LOL! The remedy is for senators who are in this underhanded compact to resign. The people’s remedy is for the JLP to publicly affirm the rule of law so flagrantly violated; distance itself, and assure the public it is not party to and does not condone this evil. What action the State, civil society or other complainant may bring is yet to be seen.

The leader of Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition is in deep muck. The Supreme Court declares “…the request for and procurement of pre-signed and undated letters of resignation…by the Leader of the Opposition from persons to be appointed or appointed as senators…is inconsistent with the constitution, contrary to public policy, unlawful, and accordingly, null and void”. (Observer, February 7, 2015)

Which word do you not understand? A leader topping polls but mired in corruption? To add to his chagrin, death threats, which might have given him some public sympathy, proved false. I am sad his conduct gives youth a bad rap and dissuades our brightest and best from politics. I ask many to study, get a career, join a party, serve as MP for a few terms, then return to normal life. He queers my pitch and compromises bright political futures. His plot has not worked for him or the JLP. He knew, they knew, and now we know they were doing the Devil’s work. A misspent youth!

The Senate is the Chamber of the wise who “enjoy the confidence” of leaders, yet Andrew did not trust his lot; change them, don’t blackmail them! Andrew was not my first pick as JLP leader — poor judgement; social ineptness, immature; but tall, a family man, not charismatic Manley or acerbic Seaga. He did not tick all boxes; no proven competence, but as a work-in-progress he would do. When I heard he had suborned JLP senators using a secret device, the emotion was shock! Tricky youth? I agonised; here we go again “new dog, old tricks!” Who would have thought? Now it’s all unravelling. Few saw the storm clouds.

Andrew’s handling of the IMF was a sign. Don’t beg for loans and flout the terms. The Chinese told us they “eat bitterness” as the price of growth; he avoids bitter. December 29, 2011 was not his finest hour, as flawed judgement aided the PNP, and now this massive pre-election gift. The PNP is happy. Unknown to us he made our Upper Chamber his privy. His corrosive letter device subverts our democracy. The one who claims he wanted to serve Jamaica from a child is now the man with the keys to JLP senators’ cohones jangling in his pocket. We have to rethink Andrew Holness.

What of JLP senators? Did big, bad Montague sign? Dainty, disarming Johnson-Smith? What of Gayle, poster boy for workers? Wise Mahaloo-Forte, Alex Williams; and eponymous Tavares-Finson? Tufton and Arthur signed. Independent senators, our gatekeepers willingly in thrall to one man? Is it the price of office in the JLP? Argue law and constitution all you want, the moral toll is massive.

Think! Andrew took legal advice, as in “I don’t know law so I asked a lawyer; it wasn’t me!” Knaves and varlets! So this absolves him? Where is his moral GPS or common sense? Are the JLP senators “im gie weh” friends who will stride the ramparts of the cut-stone, hilltop Babel scanning poor people below? LOL! New thinking, my foot! When he gave back the letters why didn’t he confess, as in “I have sinned, I repent, forgive, and let’s stop now”. He could call it off any day in the last years between when he armed the device and before the verdict. But he milked it to the last drop; sweet power over JLP senators is now gall!

On Thursday, the redevelopment of Kingston was put to Senate vote after an amiable debate by both parties, but defiant JLP Senators voted against. Was it to show dogged loyalty to Andrew and diss we the people? Senator Nigel Clarke is a star! You can’t stop quality. He voted with the PNP to save our capital city from ruin.

It is too late to do the honourable thing — Andrew had three years. To say sorry 12 or six months ago, come clean, and defuse his infernal device was the shot? Everyone is sorry when caught. His co-conspirator Williams, and JLP senators who signed, were complicit in the evil and are all damaged. These “wise heads” were to defend us from PNP excess; who defends us from them? Some are lawyers and they did evil, so they hid, but God still walks through his garden. Holness dug a large hole, now the JLP has to fill it in. Delroy Chuck may be an inadvertent hero — he blew a whistle. JLP MPs as officers of Parliament must now show us they had no part in this or impeach themselves. The JLP executive must demonstrate it is clean and revolted by the subterfuge. Is Daryl Vaz right to say the JLP needs PM Seaga and PM Golding at this time? Maybe so! It implies that, despite poll wins, it will take the JLP a troika of prime ministers to unseat one little Portia. Life may be harder or easier for the JLP going forward. It’s their call. Repent and rebuild quickly. We need a resurgent JLP team of honest men and women to give the PNP a run as JLP and PNP now spend our taxes on their campaign. Pure grief. Stay conscious, my friend!

Dr Franklin Johnston is a strategist, project manager and advises the minister of education. franklinjohnstontoo@gmail.com