Well done, Kamina!
Dear Editor,
I must offer congratulations to Kamina Johnson Smith who lost the secretary general election at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda.
Johnson Smith put up quite a fight, amid the controversy, when she entered the race by surprise to challenge Baroness Patricia Scotland for the position. Johnson Smith was up against a powerhouse and lost by a few votes. This sends a strong signal to the leadership of the organisation about its division and direction.
Scotland’s campaign strategy to go for two more years before passing the baton to the next group, Africa, was tactical and smart, and it paid off. She would’ve served the traditional two full terms by 2024 when the next election will be held.
I’ve always felt that Scotland was unfairly targeted. The UK, in particular, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ran what was described by some as a smear campaign against Scotland and a lot of money was reportedly spent doing so.
Prime Minister Johnson, who is the chair-in-office of the Commonwealth of Nations, publicly endorsed Johnson Smith and was criticised by many for doing so because his position as chair required neutrality during the race. Nonetheless, it backfired.
It’s been a tough year for Johnson, whose popularity in the UK is at an all-time low.
Scotland was able to pull the majority in her favour, even if marginally. In a modern world, which is so diverse, people are able to sift through information, facts, and news, and make independent decisions based on what they see and hear without fear of being bullied by powerful, dominant members.
Johnson Smith ran an impressive campaign but never addressed why she wanted Scotland out, and this might’ve contributed to her loss. Her campaign was all about Kamina. At times she appeared arrogant, like when she responded to the baroness saying she will never exit the race, and “That will never happen!” In Rwanda she remarked that Jamaica’s leadership on the world stage is far beyond its size. Was this necessary?
More humility, less arrogance is necessary in these races. Johnson Smith campaigned with public funds and to date there has been no disclosure about funding.
Understandably, many Jamaicans could not relate the campaign to Jamaica’s current priorities, problems, challenges, and their own lives. In any event, the campaign, lasting over three months, gave Johnson Smith mega publicity internationally.
Baroness Scotland, an accomplished diplomat, barrister, and politician has an impressive resume and is well known and respected. Being a liberal in the UK, she was targeted by the leadership of the UK conservatives. The sharp popularity decline of Boris Johnson might’ve helped Scotland as many could see through his campaign.
In the end, we are often judged by our friends and alliances. I noticed that the astute and accomplished Mia Mottley of Barbados, who commands global respect, is a close ally of Scotland and, for me, this was very telling.
Now that the election is concluded, Baroness Scotland knows that going forward more has to be done to unify the Commonwealth and push it in the right direction for maximum impact, change, and relevance.
P Chin
Chin_p@yahoo.com