Dear Editor,

There is a concerning trend in which the Jamaica Labour Party Government skilfully lays blame for its failures at the feet of the Opposition People’s National Party.

Most recently, the spin doctors have sought to point the finger at the Opposition for the shortcomings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in particular. Notably, the slow response to the crisis involving Jamaican students who were stuck in the Ukraine and the botched campaign for Commonwealth secretary general. Seemingly, the priorities are misplaced when it comes to funding decisions.

Like all Jamaicans I am disappointed and a bit embarrassed by the failure of our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith’s campaign to become the Commonwealth secretary general. The defeat, albeit a narrow one, indicates that the minister and the Government did not do their due diligence as several experts in the field of foreign affairs, while wishing her well, did not see a path to victory for our minister.

The incumbent had two more years in her term and by all accounts had the support of the African nations, who it is said are next in line to have one from their number assume the post. Jamaica is now left hanging its head in disappointment and its foreign policy seen as transactional and easily manipulated into being a proxy for others with scant regard for principle or a principled position, which our nation was always known for and admired.

It is in this vein that I support the Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding’s call for a full account of all the monies spent on this failed campaign. The Government must make full and frank disclosure of all the monies spent to us, the taxpayers, as we funded the entire debacle.

The taxpayer must know, for example, what exactly the US$99,000 was for and what work the public relations firm undertook in the campaign for such a hefty sum as well as what this adventure into failure truly cost a country that is struggling to pay its essential workers and failing to give a decent wage to its employed, who live from hand to mouth. One also recognises the hypocrisy of the campaign, in that, while the students in the Ukraine were offered loans to return to their homeland, the Government uses millions to support a losing campaign. At the same time, the Government takes the time to publicly squabble over funds donated by Golding to provide assistance to these students. Now back home, they are still struggling.

We are not distracted by a staged hero’s welcome at the entrance of the ministry. We need answers.

The response to queries about the donation of funds for the students resulted in a return of the funds. Does the Government plan to return the campaign funds to taxpayers as well? Meanwhile, time has elapsed since Julian Robinson posed questions in Parliament.

I look forward to a full account from the Government.

Christopher Henry

Attorney-at-law

Junior spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade