The leaked People’s National Party (PNP) voice notes are very troubling. In them two party members can be heard discussing delay tactics and smear strategies aimed at derailing the work of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) and discrediting its head, Ambassador Antony Anderson, respectively. These suggested acts of subversion must be condemned by all well-thinking Jamaicans.

So far, the recordings have generated the expected public outrage as they appear to prioritise political sabotage against the Hurricane Melissa recovery effort and indicate the extent to which some in the Opposition PNP are willing to go to gain political power.

In the voice notes, a man is heard suggesting “delay tactics” to block NaRRA’s projects, even to employ municipal corporations in this effort. For that person, NaRRA presents a political problem, for he believes if it should be successful, it would guarantee the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) a fourth term in office.

The voice of a woman admitted that Ambassador Anderson would be difficult to attack, given his impeccable public service record. The voice affirmed that the corruption narrative would not work against him. Readers of this column will recall my strong endorsement of Ambassador Anderson in this regard. It is encouraging to know that even Opposition members agree with these sentiments and see how difficult it would be to brand him as corrupt. Nonetheless, there is nothing to prevent them from attempting to tarnish his name in order to brings them political success.

All of this is emanating from a group within the Opposition PNP, and it is alleged that there are high-ranking members of the PNP’s National Executive Council (NEC), the leading body of the party, who are part of this group. The leader of the party, Mark Golding, in a belated and, in my view, pathetic response to the leaks, stated that they are not official representatives of the party and their views do not represent those of the party.

I say ‘belatedly’ because he responded almost a week after the matter had been marinating in the public’s mind. Golding avers that the party needed time to investigate what took place, but this shows, in my opinion, that, for reasons best known to it, the party believed that it would simply be a nine-day wonder and not something serious enough to worry about. He and the executive might have reasoned that they would be damned if they do and damned if they don’t in whatever response they offer on the issue.

PNP President Mark Golding (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Responding when he did smacked of delay tactics and certainly did not diminish public angst, anger, and revulsion concerning this troubling matter. The brief and dismissive response indicated that, as far as he is concerned, the matter had no great merit. The fact that he did not even hold the press conference which was promised leads one to conclude that Golding believes public discussion was moot and that by merely distancing the party from the issue the case was settled.

But it is far from being settled, Golding. If these statements were from senior members of your party or of the executive, why should we not conclude that the party is in full agreement with their statements, notwithstanding your disavowal to this effect? Your response was, in my view, superficial and trite and did nothing to assure the Jamaican people that the leadership of the party is not openly or tacitly in support of the views expressed.

And these views were not trite, they go to the very heart of governance and the intention of the PNP to once again rule over the affairs of Jamaica. The remarks have placed the leadership of the PNP in a serious bind, for they were not made lightly by a set of disgruntled and drunken sailors on shore leave. They seemed very premeditated and part of a strategy to undermine the work of a body that is intended to bring much needed relief to sufferers after the most devastating hurricane to hit our shores.

Not only will NaRRA bring relief, but it is part of a rebuilding effort that ought to bring long-term economic resilience to the country, if done right. Which patriotic Jamaican or organisation would want to obstruct or impede this effort? And if the PNP should embark on and succeed in its strategy, what benefit would it receive if it should win power and have to preside over the wreckage that would be left? How do you justify such impediment?

This is why it was so difficult for the party to craft a response and perhaps why it was so dismissive, superficial, and short on substance. It is obvious the party could not keep silent on the matter, but for God’s sake, if you are going to respond at all, do not insult the intelligence of the Jamaican people, as the response did.

One of the first rules in managing a crisis, or a burgeoning one, is to get out ahead of it. Delays and obfuscations in such matters is like rat poisoning to rats. The longer you wait, the more the people you serve will believe that you do not respect them and you have something to hide. The promised press conference along with a more fulsome and robust response from the leader of the party could have settled some of these questions.

Finally, it is in the interest of every citizen that means the country well for NaRRA to succeed in its efforts at reconstruction. Any attempts to sabotage these efforts, especially for political gain, must be met with utter rejection of those involved and the political organisation they support. It is this kind of behaviour that makes people wary and sceptical of political leadership and has caused so many Jamaicans to become disinterested in the political process.

It goes to the very centre of the tribal politics we practise in this country, a practice that has no respect or regard for the interests of the Jamaican people, but which is firmly rooted in the putrid expectations of those who profess to love the people yet glory in their demise.

Just when you think the PNP might be developing a sense of maturity, you get this kind of ‘verbal diarrhoea’, as some have described the voice notes.

How would you describe Golding’s “official” response?

The People’s National Party has distanced itself from the sentiments expressed in recent audio recordings in the public space.

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 also hosts a podcast — Mango Tree Dialogues — on his YouTube channel. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or stead6655@aol.com.

Raulston Nembhard