It is hard to say if Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is either misusing or underusing her political skills because of her behind-the-scenes style of leadership. Nevertheless, I have mixed feelings about whether or not she has the presence of mind to know if, or when, she is misusing or underusing her political skills. I also wonder if she knows how to tame her occasional political aloofness or how to use the bully pulpit effectively. The incredulity emanates from her failure to demonstrate political skills on several occasions. Simply reciting Government’s commitment to the current International Monetary Fund-backed fiscal consolidation programme is dissimilar from purposefully engaging an audience.

There are many examples of this obvious paucity of political skills. However, I will highlight a few recent examples. As the commander-in-chief, the prime minister has yet to step out in front to sell Government’s economic reforms to the people — her venues so far have been very selective. By this, I mean she has not been leading from the front in explaining to the Jamaican people (town-hall style) what fiscal consolidation means, what it requires, why is the Government so committed to its fulfilment, or what success should look like at the end of the austerity period.

Secondly, because she has been leading from behind, there is an expectations gap, which will manifest itself in social unrest as the misery index increases. Already, patience has begun to wane and frustration is quickly setting in. All this, because these types of tough economic corrections require political skills to keep the people united, mobilised and motivated.

Crime and violence is another area where she has not been using her political skills to assist law enforcement in containing the wanton lawlessness. Yes, we have a minister of national security, but the prime minister has the bigger bully pulpit and the buck stops with her.

To me, these conspicuous flaws confirm either of two things: (a) she has no political skills; or (b) she has no idea how to use these skills to mobilise national support or to create goodwill around national issues. Fair or foul, her introversion has caused many to see her as the biggest political empty vessel of modern times.

Politics is an art. Winning elections is a consequence of applying that art sufficiently to persuade the electorate to vote in favour of a certain political party or individual. However, politics is an art not only of the impossible, it is also about presenting and successfully defending the interests of the majority while simultaneously protecting the rights of the minority. By this, I am referring to demonstrating political will and using political skills to get the tough things done.

Undoubtedly, political skills are the enabling tools, aptitudes and abilities that allow a politician to represent and defend, successfully, the interests of other people or groups of people while accomplishing the leadership objectives that define the premise and purpose on which said leadership rests. As such, political leadership requires preparation, and with preparation come opportunities to hone political skills. There are no excuses for poor preparation. Like any other trade or vocation, politicians require constant training and preparation to meet the ever-changing socio-cultural, political, and economic milieus in which they must lead and manage. Portia has been reciting how much she has learnt at the political feet of P J Patterson, but such knowledge is dissimilar to leading by experience gained through one’s own exposure, ideas and hypotheses.

Possessing political skills will allow a leader to assess the socio-political landscape; identify opportunities and risks, evaluate tactical and strategic imperatives, establish implementation schedules, design communications and messaging plans, and structure mobilisation efforts to accomplish maximum returns and support. All of these things contribute towards the leader and the followers getting a better understanding of the socio-cultural, political and economic terrain. In the Jamaican experience, the process of using political skill would naturally impose on the prime minister the need to use her other skills, such as persuasion and negotiation, as well as self-control, to complete the leadership cycle as she secures the reputation as an effective leader.

It is unfathomable that Portia refuses to step out of the fold, claim an issue or two, make them signature issues, mobilise national support and resources around them, and then convert them into legacy issues. Norman Manley did it in 1938 in his quest for political independence and economic development. Alexander Bustamante did it with his focus on the trade union movement. Sir Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer did it with their focus on secondary school education and industry. Michael Manley did it with his focus on social reengineering and self-reliance. Edward Seaga did it with his focus on culture and economic reforms. P J Patterson did it with his focus on infrastructural development and economic liberalisation. And Bruce Golding started the conversation on far-reaching constitutional reforms. Therefore, Portia can do it too.

Recently, she addressed the nation on the abuse of children and promised to lead a national movement focused on addressing this problem. The launch was scheduled for May 28, 2015 in Clarendon. Lo and behold, the prime minister was absent from the first launch, despite promises from her handlers that she would have attended as the main presenter. We all know that “circumstances alter cases” but her “no show” sent an unfortunate message that not even the prime minister herself takes the issue as seriously as she claims. Child abuse is certainly not a low-hanging fruit, therefore, a good use of political skill would have been for the prime minister to keep that appointment, unless her absence was gravely unavoidable.

Some may argue, perhaps convincingly so, that by virtue of the fact that Portia is the first woman prime minister of Jamaica, that singular achievement is sufficient evidence of her possessing and utilising political skills. This argument may or may not hold too much sway, since her ascendency to the presidency and prime ministership in, and of, itself depended largely on inter-party and intra-party trading that did not rely exclusively on her exercising any great quotient of political skills. As with most internal contests, individuals evaluate candidates and then align with their self-interests. In other words, people backed the individual they felt would best support their political ambitions.

Nevertheless, it is almost time for another election. The parties are quietly building their various teams, designing strategies and crafting messages; in due course, the campaign will be on in earnest. The interesting thing this time around is that both local government and general elections will likely take place in the midst of a tight economic reform programme. Already, tensions are building and the social pressure cooker is about to blow its lid. Public sector workers are demanding double-digit increases, some public amenities are bereft of resources, the episodic crime rate has been steadily inching upwards, violence against children continues unabated, and there is evidence of a general malaise all around. Some positive things are happening too, but no one is amplifying these successes.

The context and environment for elections, of any kind, for the governing People’s National Party (PNP) could not be any more challenging. It reminds me of the political and economic climate that existed in 1959 (under Norman Manley) and 1989 (under Edward Seaga). Still, there are no choices other than to pick up the proverbial “Tar Baby”, cost it what it will. The truth is, even if one chooses to leave the “Tar baby” unattended, the magnetism it carries is sufficient to draw enough attention, the consequence of which could cause everything to become stuck. The Government is having one heck of a hard time fixing the catawampus relationship between its revenues and expenses, and it is not bold enough to lay off 15,000 public sector workers in order to fix the lopsidedness and bring the wage bill in line with its ability to pay from tax revenues.

Application of political skills, the kind that Prime Minister Freundel Stuart of Barbados appears to possess and flex when he told Barbadians that the economic circumstances demanded that Government cut the public sector, is what is required. No government wants to face an electorate that it has continuously asked to swallow the bitter medicine. They will not go there. They will not budge because of fear that the people may just rebel and kick their tails out of town. My late father was wont to say: “Power is only ideal until one gets it; then it becomes an awesome or dreadful reality.”

It was the late Michael Manley, I think, who said, “When you are out of government, you can say anything. When you win power and are in government, it’s a different sankey that you have to sing…” Inherent in Manley’s observation is that management of political power also requires the application of political skills. Then again, politics is the art of the impossible.

Burnscg@aol.com

PULL QUOTE

It is unfathomable that Portia refuses to step out of the fold, claim an issue or two, make them signature issues, mobilise national support and resources around them, and then convert them into legacy issues. Norman Manley did…Alexander Bustamante did it…Sir Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer did it…Michael Manley did it…Edward Seaga did it…P J Patterson did it…and Bruce Golding