Our colleague journalist Mr Cliff Hughes has placed on the table for discussion a most practical and sensible proposal for how we handle the transition of governmental authority in this country.

Mr Hughes has pointed to what the Americans have termed a presidential interregnum, which is basically the period of time between the end of a presidential election in November, and when the winner of that contest is inaugurated the following January.

Over that time — in the case of a change in the individual taking office — new personnel, including members of the executive, are chosen. So, too, are the heads of State agencies and departments — positions that are obviously filled by people who enjoy the trust and confidence of the president.

As Mr Hughes quite rightly points out, that sort of arrangement avoids the mess that obtains in the way such matters are handled here.

As it now stands, whenever there is a change of Administration in Jamaica, people occupying senior executive positions in the public service begin to worry about the security of their jobs.

Some will do the decent thing and tender their resignation, while others hold on for dear life, hoping that their services will be retained.

We agree with Mr Hughes that there needs to be an agreement as to those positions that are within the gift of the new prime minister and members of his/her executive.

For, let us not dismiss the fact that every administration requires individuals who are loyal and who agree with the Government’s policies and programmes.

But those people, we hold, should not only be loyal, they should be competent. In other words, they should not be placed in jobs simply because of the colour of their politics.

Unfortunately, that is what has happened in a number of cases, and it is those people who are now fretting; for they can see no other way to make a living than feeding from the political trough.

It’s a practice that this country must bring to an end if we are serious about economic growth and development.

Ideally, what Jamaica should strive for is a cadre of professionals who are more nationalist in thinking than political — true professionals who will not undermine policies and programmes simply because they are not being implemented by their preferred political party.

The same needs to apply to our political leaders who, in many cases, seem to believe that only they and their parties have all the answers to Jamaica’s problems.

Any new Government that continues successful policies and programmes of its predecessor will find favour with the electorate, especially if it not only embraces those policies but improves on them.

That sort of thinking will serve a Government well, especially when it has a thin majority and will need co-operation from the Opposition.