It is said that the Chinese word for crisis is the same for opportunity. We have a crisis on our hands occasioned by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Those who try to communicate otherwise are very foolish. This crisis has created many opportunities.

The first prudent step in dealing with and overcoming a crisis is to accept that one exists. The Andrew Holness-led Administration would do well to walk wide of a default-like position which many administrations globally have adopted during crises.

Denials are often damaging and deadly. Invariably, denials end in ruinous political consequences, quickly, certainly so, in participatory democracies. In the late 1970s, for example, economic and social dislocations were plenty in the United Kingdom. The period became known as The Winter of Discontent. Prime Minister James Callaghan, on his return from a short vacation in Barbados, was asked at the airport to say what he intended to do about the crisis. “Crisis? What crisis?” he said. That was the front-page headline in The Sun UK Edition the next day. Callaghan did not say those exact words, but his actual response was very unempathetic to country-wide suffering at the time.

Here at home rural folks contend that out of the deep recesses of the mind the mouth speaketh. Callaghan’s airport gaffe and his real and/or perceived unawareness regarding the debilitating hardships faced by especially ordinary Brits sealed the nail in his and the British Labour Party’s (BLP) political coffin.

The BLP is a socialist party and a fraternal twin of the People’s National Party (PNP) here in Jamaica.

Otto Von Bismarck, who is most famous for his role in German unification, said: “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others and tries not to repeat them… Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

People have the memory of elephants, especially when it comes to the loss of livelihoods. People never forget those who were entrusted with power to help them and/or could have helped but did little and/or nothing. And Google never forgets. Callaghan was given the order of the boot by Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party — the fraternal twin of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) — on May 4, 1979. The BLP remained in Opposition until 1997; 18 years.

FACE THE FACTS

Thousands of years of history have taught us that especially in times of tremendous adversity the truth is often the first casualty. Our Government, Opposition included, must not make this costly mistake.

I believe the effectiveness, or lack thereof, with which this Andrew Holness Administration leads/manages our restoration and rebuilding will weigh heavily on two critical political fronts.

First, whether the Administration can/will continue to enjoy the confidence of the majority of Jamaicans who gave the governing JLP a historic third-consecutive term at Jamaica House only two months ago. Second, whether the JLP retains a viable chance of winning a fourth-consecutive term in the next general election, which is due in 2030.

“But, Higgins, 2030 is five long, long years away,” some will highlight.

You need to wake up and smell the coffee, if this is your political thought process. We are living in times when governments globally are under severe pressure to deliver social and economic goods which can be felt in the pockets and seen on the dinner tables of especially ordinary people. Some, in their ignorance and/or arrogance, would do well to remember, too, that in our participatory democracy, the Administration remains in power providing it continues to enjoy the confidence of the majority of Jamaicans.

Some among us, doubtless, continue to delude themselves to believe that as long as the prime minister enjoys the confidence of the majority on the Government benches he can remain at the wheel. Those who hold on to this view like a fully-clasped vice grip need to remind themselves of what happened to Prime Minister Michael Manley.

Recall that, as a consequence of country-wide social and economic dislocation and despondency in the mid-to-late 70s, Manley was forced to make an early general election announcement in February 1980. That announcement triggered the longest and bloodiest campaign in the history of Jamaica. Eight months of bloodletting across the country resulted in near 900 Jamaicans being murdered in election-related violence. Why? Among other things, Manley and his Administration had lost political legitimacy among the majority of Jamaicans. It bears repeating, the Administration remains in power providing it continues to enjoy the confidence of the majority of Jamaicans. If the Administration does a poor job of restoring and rebuilding Jamaica for the benefit of especially ordinary Jamaicans that could well turn out to be the JLP’s Achilles heel — for which the PNP desperately searches.

“But why did you single out ordinary Jamaicans and not say all Jamaicans, Higgins,” some will inquire.

Let us face facts, the vast majority who lost roofs, livelihoods, and much more were not people who were born with the proverbial gold spoon in the mouth. It is very uncomfortable for some to hear this, but this is a fact which cannot be overlooked.

Here is another fact which must not be overlooked either. In times past, millions in humanitarian grants from our overseas partners and huge amounts of donations in cash and/or kind were sent to Jamaica after disasters like hurricanes. It is a fact that the lion’s share of those benefits never reached into the hands of those with the most pressing needs. That grave injustice must never happen in 2025 Jamaica.

MATURE LEADERSHIP CRITICAL

I think that if the Opposition misses the opportunity to demonstrate mature leadership, especially at this time, 89 Old Hope Road will succeed in further devaluing its political stocks. In fact, from a purely political perspective, the passage of Hurricane Melissa is an opportunity for the PNP to redeem itself by showing smart and mature leadership.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding frequently channels former Prime Minister Michael Manley. Has Golding succeeded? The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Golding has been auditioning for the highest elected office in this land for almost five calendar years. To date he has led his party to defeat in the local government elections of February 2024 and the general election of September 2025.

I said here seven Sundays ago that the PNP needed an authentic, visionary, and disciplined strategist if it is to have a real chance of regaining Jamaica House. I stand by that assessment. In politics you have to be your own man. Anyways, since Golding has embraced channelling Manley, he would do well to examine what then Opposition Leader Manley said to Jamaicans after the passage of Hurricane Gilbert in September 1988.

Said Manley: “I have made it clear to the prime minister that we offer both in terms of myself personally, and on the behalf of the People’s National Party, our full solidarity, cooperation, and support in all of the enormous efforts that have now to be made; first in the area of relief, and secondly in the area of reconstruction.” (
Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation archive, September 1988)

Manley, by then, had discarded the burden of democratic socialism. He was careful to seize the moment. Of course, too, Manley also had genuine love for the Jamaican people. His necessary social agenda in the 70s proves it. Manley’s great mistake was that there was no economic underpinning to sustain his social agenda.

If someone were to ask me if I believed Mark Golding genuinely loves the Jamaican people. I would answer, “No!” His words and deeds have not convinced me that he understands the realities of especially the ordinary Jamaican.

Anyway, then Prime Minister Edward Seaga, in responding to Manley’s magnanimity, said: “I want to go on record as saying that I am deeply grateful to the representatives of both political parties who, in this hour of emergency and crisis, have not only kept the centres going with food, but have also, in addition, provided the main communication network that exists in the country, through the party two-way radio systems that exist in both parties. Were it not for this we would have been virtually without communication, and chaos would have reigned.” (
Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation archive, September 1988)

If the Mark Golding-led Opposition is really serious about genuinely helping to restore and rebuild this country, then he needs do so through matching words and actions. The Opposition will try its best to gain as much mileage as possible from the drop-catches and misfields by the Administration. Politics is not
Alice in Wonderland. At the same time, the ‘sensibles’ among us do not expect the Opposition to take a scorched-earth approach after every ball is bowled. That very rotten tactic benefits no one.

Credit is due.

Just three months after Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica on September 12, 1988, Edward Seaga and his Administration were commended locally, regionally, and internationally for the rapid restoration of especially basic services. Seaga, unfortunately, failed to call the general election when the JLP was in the ascendency — as he was advised, credible sources say. Seaga did not seize the moment. Manley did. And the JLP paid a heavy price in the general election of February 1989.

One of the reasons that Jamaica was able to recover so fast after Gilbert was because of the cooperation by the Michael Manley-led Opposition. Manley deserves credit especially given the divisiveness of our politics at the time. Manley was a smart political operator until he wasn’t. He knew that the hurt throughout Jamaica was a time for coming together. He also knew that he was seen as a very divisive force by many Jamaicans, especially in the middle class. Hurricane Gilbert provided a perfect opportunity for Manley to demonstrate that he was a unifier.

DIVIDERS VS UNIFIERS

Truth must not be a casualty in great adversity. Truth must be a premium, because “Truth will out,” taken from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. If people do not believe what they are told by officialdom they fear everything, and that is an even bigger crisis. The Administration needs to ensure that all communication with the public is bullet-proof accurate, as far as is humanly possible. If the communication is otherwise, exposure and disgrace will come “quick and fast”, as we say in the streets.

All well-thinking citizens need to understand and take responsibility for the information which they consume. Stick to verified sources. There are some people, near and far, real nasty people whose primary objective is to increase the hurt of people who are already hurting. They mostly carry out their sordid activities on social media platforms these days. Some are dressed in shiny robes. Some are well-credentialled. Some are hangers-on, wannabes, has-beens, and maybes. In my article before the hurricane landed on our shores I did warn here that these prophets for profits, con artists, charlatans, and hoodwinkers had started to crawl out of their dark and dingy hiding places. They are all out now.

Those who take their daily bread from individuals who spew religious fanaticism and superstitious claptrap, along with those who drink poisons from conspiracy theorists, must be held accountable and exposed. All of society should not be made to pay for their continued folly. Some are heavily invested in the systematic promotion of ‘dunce-ness’. Some of these have become “famous for nothing”, as US President Barack Obama said. I agree.

Understand this, too, most of those who sell crack-cocaine and other hard drugs don’t use it. Many of the sellers of the lowest common denominator, tomfoolery crudeness, and backwardness are not consumers.

We are living in unusual times. Focus! All well-thinking Jamaicans have to pitch in and do our part to protect and preserve this Rock. She is our home.

Garfield Higgins is an educator and journalist. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or higgins160@yahoo.com.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (left) gets an update on conditions in Black River from Mayor of Black River Richard Solomon during a visit to the historic town recently.a

Then Jamaica Labour Party Leader Edward Seaga (left) with People’s National Party President Michael Manley..

Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for St Andrew Southern Mark GoldingPhoto: Naphtali Junior

A front page of The Sun UK Edition in January 1979.