If there is one thing we should know about politicians of any stripe, it is that their actions are not always driven by that which is morally expedient but that which can put them and their political party in the most advantageous position at any given time. In fact, to go the morally expedient route may cost them dearly in terms of their political objectives.

The current brouhaha that is in vogue regarding the decision by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to call a by-election in the St Ann North Eastern constituency is a case in point. The Member of Parliament (MP), Marsha Smith, has resigned her seat there. This has come in the wake of a wave of disaffection from many of her constituents that she has not been up to the job of representing the constituency in a meaningful way. There is crucial spending on constituency projects that have not been done, yet there are large sums of government funds allocated to the constituency that have not been spent.

Smith seems eminently qualified to do other things in Government, but being an MP does not appear to be her forte. It was clear that anyone who would follow in the footsteps of the late redoubtable Shahine Robinson would have a hard act to follow. Not only was she beloved by the constituents, but her dedication to them, which seemed to flow naturally, coupled with her political dexterity even as a member of the Cabinet (she was a labour minister in the Holness Administration), set her apart from most politicians. A political neophyte taking over from her started with a clear disadvantage. Such a person had perilous political terrain to navigate. In the end, Smith proved herself inadequate to the task. Hence her resignation and the decision of Holness to call the by-election.

Some are crying foul because he has moved with unaccustomed alacrity to call this particular election while for one year the people of Trelawny Southern have been languishing without representation in Parliament. This was consequent on the resignation of former Speaker of the House, Marisa Dalrymple Philibert, from that seat. Why the haste to call this one and the nonchalant approach to Trelawny Southern?

One cannot help but think there is something afoot here, with the impending departure of Dr Nigel Clarke to take up his assignment at the International Monetary Fund in October. Is Senator Matthew Samuda being considered as his temporary replacement? Or is Holness hoping to hold the finance portfolio, with Samuda being asked to carry the weight of the office? We will see. What is certain is that he will win the election because the People’s National Party (PNP) has decided not to contest it on what they have spuriously determined to be moral grounds. They believe it is a waste of taxpayers’ money that could be better spent to alleviate suffering after the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on the island.

I find the PNP objection laughable and their resort to high moral ground in this particular matter as insipid as warmed-over food that has stayed in the refrigerator for too long. Every prime minister since Independence has taken advantage of the awesome power given to him/her by the constitution to call elections at their own whim. What Holness has done is par for the course. It is no different from what the PNP would do if they were faced with the same set of circumstances. If you do not have the money to contest an election, say so. If you do not want to expose your party to an electoral test so close to the general election, say so. But spare me the crocodile tears of moral expedience here.

The PNP would have been on weightier moral ground if its objection was grounded in the need for constitutional reform. As noted earlier, the constitution gives the prime minister virtual dictatorial power over the calling of elections. This will not change until there is radical constitutional change that ends this practice. And there is no urgency on the part of politicians to change it. The practice has served both political tribes well over the years.

Citizens must be warned that they cannot depend on the good graces of politicians to enact this change. They have to demand it. Until they do, political expediency will continue to trump democratic principles.

Dr Raulston Nembhard is a priest, social commentator, and author of the books Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Storms; Your Self-esteem Guide to a Better Life; and Beyond Petulance: Republican Politics and the Future of America. He hosts a podcast — Mango Tree Dialogues — on his You Tube channel. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or stead6655@aol.com.