The current brouhaha surrounding comments made by two senior Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) parliamentarians about the physical attributes (or lack thereof) of a female People’s National Party (PNP) constituency candidate has once again brought into sharp focus the oftentimes puerile and petulant posturing of our politicians who should know better.

This scenario has got even worse with a tit-for-tat response given by the JLP’s youth arm Generation 2000 (2K), more popularly known as Young Jamaica, who has dug up an old skeleton with respect to derogatory remarks reportedly made by the offended PNP aspirant against another JLP female politician several years ago in a social media post.

Welcome to the silly season!

This writer will neither repeat the nasty remarks that were made all round nor the respective names of the guilty culprits. I am do as a form of protest and act of indignation, because to do so would only help to further “draw their tongues” and I am in no mood for any “cass-cass”. Suffice it to say, all well-thinking citizens should condemn such crass behaviour coming from people who should know better.

In this vein, mere apologies or calling on anyone to resign is but sound and fury, signifying nothing, because in the very final analysis it will be business as usual on the political front. And this is the tragedy of it all as Jamaica continues to descend into the abyss of intolerance, crudeness, character assassination, and despicable behaviour all in the name of political bantering.

What is even more disconcerting is that there is a lack or absence of leadership to put a cap on such unacceptable patterns of behaviour. Of course, all of this comes within the context of the so-called dancehall culture that has overtaken the society, wherein our women are objectified and opponents are “dissed” on platforms. We have also seen it played out in Parliament from time to time, albeit with sotto voce remarks followed by the usual litany of calls for apologies. Frankly, this madness needs to stop, but will it?

Traditionally, Jamaican politics has been a very contentious affair, especially during election campaigns. But, in many instances, much of what was said did not border on the level of body shaming and personal attacks. Yes, there were innuendoes and doublespeak, leaving listeners to read between the lines, and whenever such utterances entered the realm of libel and slander, then there would be recourse in the courts.

What is typical in these instances of verbal indiscretions is the fact that platform speakers get caught up in the adulation they get from the crowd and are carried away in the euphoria of the moment and self-indulgence. Riling up the crowd is an expected action on the part of speakers, but, alas, some of these individuals do not know when and where to draw the line as they frequently descend into the gutter.

Fortunately, in recent times we have seen that political violence has, for the most, been restricted to tongue-lashing, and in this context we must give thanks for the fact that the country has moved away from the violence that reached its peak during the 1980 General Election campaign when hundreds were slaughtered on the basis of their political persuasion.

However, based on what is now emerging, both the JLP and PNP leadership need to move towards the establishment of a code of conduct to govern how the ongoing election campaigns for both the local government and general elections are conducted. Let us not fool ourselves by dismissing these verbal utterances as just par for the course. The society is becoming increasingly more violent and there may well come a time when a straw will break the camel’s back.

Against this backdrop, one must ask: What has become of the Office of the Political Ombudsman? Why has the Andrew Holness Administration, with seeming complicity from the Opposition PNP, shunted that office into “File 13”?

That office needs to be brought back fulsomely — now more than ever — and be elevated to a respectable national status which will command the respect of both Comrades and Labourites on the hustings. The last thing one heard was that it would be placed in the confines of the Electoral Commission, but this is an unacceptable proposition. While it may be under the aegis of this highly respected body, it should stand alone, be properly staffed, and sufficiently funded. Indeed, it behoves our private sector moguls to help provide the necessary funding for this body in the same way that Citizens Action for Free and Fair Election (CAFFE) and National Integrity Action (NIA) are treated.

In the meantime, concerned citizens, non-governmental organisations as well as civil society and professional groups, inclusive of the trade unions, should insist that the ensuing election campaign is conducted in a manner that seeks to enhance the democratic process, not scuttle it. Emphasis should be placed on dealing with issues and matters relating to representation; constituency concerns, including plans and a vision emanating from those seeking to be elected; ethics; and, most importantly, governance.

Jamaica at this time is at a very critical crossroads when it comes to governance. The spectre of corruption, the increasing lack of accountability among public servants, the breakdown in law and order in the wider society, not to mention the high incidents of crime and violence have put this country on a path to becoming a failed State in short order unless we bell the cat now.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved full-time in Jamaica media for the past 48 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 the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.