Any Jamaican who chooses to be objective and not go down the path of narrow partisan pursuits these days is fast becoming an endangered species.

The latest kerfuffle on the political landscape surrounding accusations of conflict of interest in the awarding of contracts levelled at Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness by the Integrity Commission has poured fresh fuel on the country’s volatile lake of divisiveness, whereby everything is viewed through either green- or orange-tinted spectacles.

From all indications, based on the Integrity Commission’s 107-page report, there is enough evidence so far to suggest that there is the perception, if not the reality, of conflict of interest, which is why the matter has been referred to the director of corruption prosecution. It, therefore, remains to be seen, until a ruling is made, whether the prime minister should resign or, as the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has opined, this is an international embarrassment for the nation.

In my view, both Prime Minister Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding have so far overreacted instead of diligently awaiting a ruling from the director of corruption prosecution. Unfortunately, in the Jamaican context, there is an overwhelming tendency to presume that a person is guilty before the unveiling of due process, wherein all forces contend and a reasonable as well as reasoned verdict is arrived at.

There are those, of course, who will disagree with me by vehemently insisting that the prime minister should have, with immediate effect, declared his innocence and downplay, if not condemn, the findings and conclusions of the Integrity Commission, a body that was established by parliamentary decree, which means that this, in the final analysis, may well be a case of Caesar versus Caesar. Then again, within the context of the Shakespearean tragedy, “Caesar’s wife must always be above suspicion.” In essence, this may well be a case, as succinctly stated in Jamaican parlance, of our politicians raising “cock chicken to dig out their eyes”.

Let us not fool ourselves. Jamaica is a very corrupt country, both in the private and public sectors. Almost daily there are media reports or anecdotes on the street as well as in the social media space of alleged acts of impropriety, theft, graft, and every other form of criminality involving public funds or companies’ money. In this context, the average Jamaican sees every politician as a thief.

I recall, when I decided to run on a PNP ticket in the 2011 General Election to represent the St James Central constituency, an elderly man met me in a supermarket and bemoaned the fact, almost at the point of tears, that by entering the political arena I would of necessity have to compromise my integrity, with respect to honesty and probity in my representational affairs. I was also derided by people inside and outside the party when I publicly declared that I was not in favour of the “licky-licky” brand of politics, which, in essence, insists that “parson must christen him pickney fus”.

What has happened to Holness has been a common practice, as Minister of Information Robert Morgan has posited on a radio programme, for Members of Parliament (MP) to recommend contractors to do work in their constituency involving State funds. And for this to happen, the MP would of necessity have to “know” the firm or person. But does this accepted arrangement allow for transparency and prevent any acts of cronyism, nepotism, or favouritism? Methinks not. Which is why the Integrity Commission’s intervention in this case involving the prime minister may well turn out to be a watershed moment on the way forward; whereby, the time has come for there to be a better way to handle taxpayers’ money.

Meanwhile, Holness declaring that he has done nothing wrong may well smack of some amount of hypocrisy, in the same way that Golding’s initial response has failed to deal with the heart of the matter. Indeed, hypocrisy is permeating the entire body politic! This should not be just a moment for denial or pointing fingers but an opportunity for both the JLP and the PNP to once and for all deal with this vexing matter of corruption.

In this vein, many well-thinking Jamaicans continue to wonder why so few politicians have ended up in “short pants” over the years despite so many allegations of corrupt acts committed by them. In the meantime, both diehard Comrades and Labourites will continue to defend their leaders and their turf with a passion, even as Jah kingdom goes to waste. As the saying goes, “Fisherman never say him fish stink!” At the same time, how many of our elected representatives have opted to teach their constituents to fish rather than just provide them with “fish heads”?

Even if, when all is said and done, the prime minister is vindicated, he should not let this golden opportunity pass to deal with this contorted issue of convention versus principle, probity versus expediency. His “Holiness, Mr Brogad” has repeatedly inveighed against corruption in Parliament and on the hustings and has placed it squarely on his electioneering platform.

The Integrity Commission was promulgated by an Act of Parliament under his watch in 2017 with the mandate to promote and enhance standards of ethical conduct for parliamentarians, public officials, and other individuals. Its purpose is to combat corruption through the development, implementation, and enforcement of anti-corruption legislation, policy, and initiatives through its highly competent staff and efficient systems, processes, and procedures.

This is what the Integrity Commission is seeking to do with respect to your matter, Mr Holness, while following due process. Defend yourself, but also defend the work of that august body which you and other parliamentarians, including Golding, helped to create. Enough said!

Lloyd B Smith has been involved full-time in Jamaican media for the past 47 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmihth4@gmail.com.