Dear Editor,

On Tuesday, the People’s National Party (PNP) confirmed attorney-at-law Isat Buchanan as its Member of Parliament (MP) caretaker for the Portland Eastern constituency in the upcoming general election constitutionally due by September next year.

Before the confirmation there were rumours and speculations that he would be the political candidate to replace Colin Bell who resigned sometime last month. Buchanan will face the incumbent Ann-Marie Vaz, affectionately called Action Ann.

Both the PNP and Buchanan have come under heavy criticism for what is perceived by many as the PNP rewarding bad behaviour. This is primarily because of unprofessional, distasteful, and discriminatory utterances made by Buchanan towards Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn and the Jamaican population. In the latter case, Buchanan called into question Jamaicans’ appearance when they raised concerns about the monkeypox virus in July 2022. “…You made sure that a doctor was in the house this morning, ’cause I want to know, why are some Jamaicans so worried about monkeypox when they already look a certain way? That’s all I wanna know,” Buchanan said as he co-hosted an episode of CVM at Sunrise along with Raymond Pryce, who is also affiliated with the PNP. According to Buchanan, the furore “always” stemmed from “ugly people worried about pretty things”.

How is it that Buchanan now wants to represent these same unappealing people?

Due to the uproar that stemmed from Buchanan’s uncouth remarks, social media users, especially on X (formerly Twitter), cancelled him.

Concerning the DPP, CVM TV decided to cut ties with the attorney, citing that his comments were not in alignment with the ethos of the media company. Buchanan subsequently resigned from his post as the chair of the PNP’s Human Rights Commission. The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica had called for disciplinary action to be taken against Buchanan, and he had apologised for his utterances.

In commenting on the matter of Buchanan’s candidacy, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) said on Wednesday that given the decision taken by the Opposition party, the PNP now “has no moral authority to speak on matters concerning corruption, crime, or ethics”.

The JLP referenced Buchanan’s previous run-ins with the law, both in Jamaica and in the United States (US). Buchanan was convicted locally for possession of, dealing in, and taking steps to smuggle cocaine. He was sentenced in the US for approximately 10 years for similar drug-smuggling crimes.

Although the JLP says the party believes in rehabilitation and redemption, it is wary that Buchanan’s repeated derogatory actions are not things of the past.

As expected, the PNP responded, noting that criticisms from the JLP reveal a conspicuous hypocrisy and an obvious attempt at political opportunism regarding the issue of rehabilitation.

The PNP highlighted individuals such as the late Clive Lewis who was elected three times after his convictions in the 1990s. In supporting Buchanan, the PNP says it acknowledges that individuals can rehabilitate and return to serve their communities. They argue that Buchanan’s past does not define him but instead highlights that his commitment to positive change exemplifies the principles of redemption that the PNP advocates.

One supposes that the same line of argument would be used if the PNP decided to field Vybz Kartel as an MP caretaker or even as a senator.

But is Buchanan the best candidate the PNP could find? The party is hell-bent on winning the election at any cost. Every day its desperation shows. Its rhetoric and behaviour are predictable. It has no substance — except maybe for Senator Damion Crawford, who is always full of ideas — yet they are pressing the prime minister to call the election. What exactly does the PNP have to offer Jamaica and Jamaicans should it form the next Government?

The JLP, too, is equally guilty of rewarding bad behaviour. One recalls that Agriculture Minister Floyd Green was caught on video at a party at a hotel during the novel coronavirus pandemic when most Jamaicans were under strict curfew and no-movement orders. Green subsequently resigned and apologised for his actions. However, a few months later he was reinstated to the Cabinet.

Former House Speaker Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert who resigned as MP for Trelawny Southern more than a year ago is still in charge of the constituency, according to the JLP’s General Secretary Dr Horace Chang. Dalrymple-Philibert was charged in 2023 for false declarations made on her statutory declarations to the Integrity Commission.

Dalrymple-Philibert is currently awaiting a rescheduled preliminary court hearing on October 11. However, it is widely believed that the JLP is waiting for that matter to be settled before naming her as its candidate for the seat. That is also another decision to await.

Many other cases could be cited in terms of conflict of interest, cronyism, nepotism, and white-collar crimes; however, what exactly will change? Our two major political parties will justify their decisions to reward bad behaviour. There is hardly any accountability. One side has done it, so it is fine if the other side does it too. But how about taking a stance and standing up for principle no matter the consequences?

They must remember that there are onlookers who are already disgusted by their behaviour. Voter apathy has been increasing and more people are becoming uninterested in political processes and organisations.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com