There has been some discussions recently regarding the role of former prime ministers, and concomitantly what specific functions, duties, and responsibilities should they assume after leaving the position of prime minister.

In the United States of America former presidents take on various roles after leaving office and some travel internationally, giving paid speeches on a range of important subject matters and earn up to US$250,000 per enunciated speech. Former US presidents are sometimes called upon by the sitting president to carry out specific duties. For example, President Barack Obama appointed former presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush as special US envoys overseeing the reconstruction of Haiti. And from time to time, at the discretion of any serving US president, former office-holders are asked to take on certain tasks. All former US presidents receive a plethora of financial benefits, grants and allowances spanning from that of a former president’s pension, staff allowances and payments, and lifetime secret service protection. The most popular rated former US president to date is William Bill Clinton, whose ratings have been very high in and out of office.

Here in Jamaica, former Jamaican prime ministers oftentimes retire after serving in the position and are, on occasions, dutifully asked to be guest speakers at private sector functions and award events throughout the country, regionally and internationally. Former prime ministers receive a monthly pension equivalent to that of any current serving prime minister, are assigned a 24-hour security detail from the Protective Services Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and receive an allowance for the upkeep of an office. We need to mature and reach a level in this country whereby serving prime ministers will consider it worthwhile, productive, constructive, and necessary to utilise the services of former Jamaican prime ministers as special envoys on specified overseas assignments, and the country could continue to benefit from their vast intellectual and political experience and expertise as is the case with former US presidents. There are currently three retired former prime ministers — note, Andrew Holness is not retired — namely, Edward Seaga, Percival Patterson and Bruce Golding, and I dare say here, unreservedly, that the country should be able to continue to tangibly benefit from their immense value and serving prime ministers should seriously consider utilising their services in the form of ambassadors-at-large, so that they may be able to carry out named assignments at the request of any serving current prime minister of Jamaica.

Here in Jamaica, former Jamaican prime ministers oftentimes retire after serving in the position and are, on occasions, dutifully asked to be guest speakers at private sector functions and award events throughout the country, regionally and internationally. Former prime ministers receive a monthly pension equivalent to that of any current serving prime minister, are assigned a 24-hour security detail from the Protective Services Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and receive an allowance for the upkeep of an office. We need to mature and reach a level in this country whereby serving prime ministers will consider it worthwhile, productive, constructive, and necessary to utilise the services of former Jamaican prime ministers as special envoys on specified overseas assignments, and the country could continue to benefit from their vast intellectual and political experience and expertise as is the case with former US presidents. There are currently three retired former prime ministers — note, Andrew Holness is not retired — namely, Edward Seaga, Percival Patterson and Bruce Golding, and I dare say here, unreservedly, that the country should be able to continue to tangibly benefit from their immense value and serving prime ministers should seriously consider utilising their services in the form of ambassadors-at-large, so that they may be able to carry out named assignments at the request of any serving current prime minister of Jamaica.

I am of the opinion that former Jamaican prime ministers should be given an annual international travel allowance, and for a member of his staff or personal assistant, and be allowed to take his security detail overseas at taxpayers’ expense. They should have access to a Jamaica Defence Force helicopter and receive free medical care within Jamaica.

Robert Dalley, Esq, BA is a corporate business manager and business strategist in Montego Bay. Send comments to the Observer or to robertdalley1@hotmail.com.