Editorial | Seat squabble!

The battle between political expediency and doing the right thing is constantly being waged among politicians. Invariably, they decide on what is expedient and what they believe gives them the best chance of getting in power. We see a perfect example of this playing out in South East Clarendon this week.

For whatever reason, the sitting member of parliament, Rudyard Spencer, had to go, and go quickly. Doubtless, he was able to reason with his constituents and explain why his term had to end prematurely. The four-time Member of Parliament Spencer exited Gordon House like Nicodemus amid reports of intra-party squabbles over who should take his seat.

There is no indication that he is sick or in any way physically incapable of carrying out his functions. It is true that he tends to be caught sleeping in Parliament more often than the rest of his colleagues, but since he is to take up a diplomatic post in Germany, we assume he is fine.

With Mr Spencer’s departure, Minister Pearnel Charles Jr is to become the new standard-bearer for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and is set to face the electorate in a by-election on March 2. He may not be the favourite of some constituents but he comes with familial connections that are readily recognised.

The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), apparently caught napping, says it will not waste resources to contest this by-election coming soon before a general election, expected this year, although constitutionally due next year.

These unfolding events offer a window into the inner workings of political parties, which remain the only platform for local elected leaders to emerge.

Beginning with the JLP, it can be safely assumed that the members of the party broadly supported the ditching of Spencer. Although the prime minister has faced a torrent of criticism from social commentators for the timing of the move, only a few voices of protest were heard from some constituents demanding that their MP remain in place.

The PNP, on the other hand, that has an active candidate-in-waiting in the person of Patricia Duncan Sutherland, says it will not field a candidate for the March 2 poll. In its estimation, spending $40 million on such an exercise was wasteful, given that a general election will be called early. Critics argue that the PNP was caught flat-footed, dreads losing another by-election, and may not be able to raise the funds at such short notice.

THE VOTERS

Then there are the constituents. They are the voters. In any political system, it is the voters who play the major role, for winning elections is the foremost goal of any political party. The constituency organisation is therefore critical around campaigning.

We can understand the frustrations of constituents, for Mr Spencer was member of parliament for all of South East Clarendon and his sudden, unexplained departure must be disappointing. But as we know from experience, party elites carry sway over who is selected candidate.

For all their talk of democracy, we have seen how political parties conduct their business in the most undemocratic of ways, often leading to tension and squabbles.

Maybe it is time for political parties to demonstrate how democratic they run their organisations by opening up to show their rules on candidate selection, including how they arrive at consensus, how they strive for and achieve inclusiveness, and the rules they follow on funding campaigns.

In the final analysis, people simply want their political leaders to deliver good governance so that they can be safe and happy in their environment.