The recent announcement regarding salary increases for judges sparked a predictable chain of events, that is, the upward adjustment in the remuneration of elected officials. However, what is interesting is the contrasting reactions exhibited by the Jamaican public.

While the doubling of the judges’ salaries was met with relative calm, a wave of protests ensued following the announcement of a similar increase for political representatives. This discrepancy, in response, is as a result of two key factors: distrust and poor performance.

Distrust has become an ingrained sentiment within the Jamaican society, particularly concerning the performance and integrity of political figures. Over the years, the repetitive revelations of corruption, cronyism, and administrative incompetence have systematically undermined the people’s confidence in their elected officials. Consequently, when the news of a salary increase for politicians surfaced, it triggered a deeply rooted scepticism among the citizenry. Many viewed it as yet another instance of their representatives benefiting at their expense without tangible improvements in governance or public service delivery.

Moreover, the poor performance of politicians has exacerbated the public’s discontent. The disappointment felt by the populace in their elected leaders’ inability to tackle urgent matters, like crime, unemployment, and social imbalances, in a meaningful way has festered. As they witness little progress or meaningful change in these areas, the idea of their representatives receiving a salary increase appears unjustifiable and out of touch with the realities of everyday Jamaicans.

In contrast, the reaction to the judges’ salary increase followed a different trajectory. Judges, as custodians of justice and upholders of the rule of law, are generally perceived as occupying a position of greater trust and accountability. While not immune to criticism, their role in ensuring fair and impartial legal proceedings carries a weight of public expectation. Thus, the acceptance of the salary adjustment for judges could stem from the belief that their work directly affects the functioning of the justice system and, ultimately, the overall stability of the nation.

Though disgruntled, this is a typical trait of the Jamaican people. We indulge in a series of uproars and outrage at the blatant disregard for taxpayer dollars and our intelligence and we loathe the symptoms of a weakly developed governing system. Therefore, as a people, we need to address the deep-rooted issues that have haunted us since Independence.

The social agreement between the people of Jamaica and the Government has been dishonoured and, as such, needs to be comprehensively revisited. Therefore, in spite of this seemingly hopeless outlook, we find ourselves in a very peculiar position, given the timing of the new constitutional reform.

Constitutional reform has been long-awaited and represents a final move away from England, our former coloniser. But simply removing The King of the United Kingdom as Jamaica’s head of State is not in the vicinity of sufficient. We need to seize this moment to execute an overhaul of the current system into one that reflects the needs and values of the people.

Therefore, the reformation process should be an open dialogue with the public. That is, our suggestions should not be dismissed or trivialised but treated with significance and depth. Our concerns should be thoroughly examined to ensure that the revised constitution truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people, which is good governance.

Here are a few low-hanging fruits we can tackle to begin the reformation process.

1)First, the establishment of a fixed election date stands as a crucial step towards ensuring transparency and predictability in our electoral system. By clearly delineating the date of elections, we eliminate the possibility of strategic manoeuvres or undue influence in determining when the nation goes to the polls. This creates a level playing field and fosters public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.

2) Another vital aspect lies in clearly defining the job description of Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), and senators, along with the implementation of clear penalties for failing to meet set targets. By providing a precise framework for the roles and responsibilities of these individuals, we instil a sense of accountability and efficacy in their positions. This allows the public to hold them to higher standards and ensures that they are delivering tangible results for the benefit of the people they represent.

3)An effective separation of powers is also crucial for a well-functioning republic. This entails establishing distinct bodies for the Senate, House of Representatives, national chief executive office, and the judiciary. These should be elected directly by the people, offering a direct avenue for citizens to have a say in the legislative and executive decision-making processes.

This approach guarantees a democratic representation of the people’s will while fostering checks and balances within the system. Additionally, the executive office should focus primarily on foreign affairs, allowing individual ministries to be headed by dedicated ministers who can focus on the specific areas under their purview.

4)A vital aspect of political governance reform involves reimagining the process by which ministers of Government are selected. A proposal worth exploring is to have these ministers vetted by the Senate and voted for by the House of Representatives, akin to the appointment of the governor of the central bank. This approach ensures a more rigorous and accountable selection process, emphasising the importance of merit, expertise, and parliamentary support in choosing individuals to hold key ministerial positions. By subjecting ministerial candidates to the scrutiny and endorsement of elected representatives, we can enhance the quality and effectiveness of governance.

This process should be accompanied by the establishment of clear objectives and targets for ministers to achieve during their tenure, while allowing ministers to remain in office across administrations if fulfilling objectives of their job description.

5)In line with enhancing fairness and equity in the political landscape, publicly funded election campaigns are a pivotal step forward. By providing all candidates with equal access to media platforms, such as press coverage, airtime, and town hall meetings, we level the playing field and promote a more substantive and issues-based campaign environment. This empowers the electorate to make informed choices based on the merits and policies put forth by candidates rather than being limited to options dictated solely by political parties.

It is now a good a time to provide the people of Jamaica with a governing system that truly serves them, one that holds leaders accountable while providing the checks and balances necessary to create an efficient Government.

Jason Christie is PhD candidate in Economics at Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or jason.christie96@gmail.com