Heather Robinson
ON TUESDAY I sat in Parliament and listened to the many tributes that were paid to retiring Prime Minister, Percival Noel James Patterson. Some persons had humorous recollections, while there were others who thanked and lauded him for his achievements and his generosity. Those of us who are former parliamentarians were not given an opportunity to speak at the special sitting of the House and the Senate, and so on behalf of those persons, I am using this opportunity to tell him a public thank you.
The period between December 1991 and March 28, 2002 must be acknowledged by all who were close to P.J. Patterson as being his most painful and victorious.
DECISION TO RESIGN
In the last days of 1991, P.J. Patterson made the decision to resign as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister. This resignation was the result of a waiver that was authorised by him to Shell. I remember sitting on his verandah with him on the eve of his announcement with another comrade. That comrade was telling him that he could not resign, and that if he did the people of Jamaica would forget him, and he would never be able to be the People's National Party's (PNP) third president when Michael Manley retired.
It was an emotional moment. P.J. kept on trying to explain to his friend why he felt he needed to resign. My response to him was, "Comrade Chairman, whatever you decide to do, I will be there for you." The pain was etched on P.J.'s face and suddenly his eyes became full. P.J. responded by saying "Thank you, thank you very much."
On being elected, P.J. reappointed Michael Manley's entire cabinet/executive without a single change. Included in this were persons who opposed him and some who told the most painful and terrible lies about him. The history of the PNP when written will recall that two of these persons were to become his main cheerleaders inside and outside Gordon House.
ABILITY TO FORGIVE, FORGET
P.J. Patterson's ability to forgive and forget must certainly be his best quality. By doing this, the transition from Michael Manley's leadership was without rumours, pain and stress. No one felt excluded or became the victim of abuse from members of Mr. Patterson's constituency. The PNP was able to remain a united party under his leadership because he held and carried malice for no one. P.J. Patterson is and was a big man.
Portia Simpson Miller is now the president of the PNP and Prime Minister of Jamaica. Her first task is to convince all of those who did not support her that we will not be punished for having exercised our democratic right. She has to send clear signals to her supporters that their behaviour must be representative of her stated desire to bear malice to none.
In this regard, she needs to remind her supporters of how P.J. Patterson treated her these last 14 years. Hers was a numerically devastating loss in 1992. If she indeed believes that she can unite the PNP, her actions must demonstrate this. No member of the PNP should have to be telling her supporters, "I do not recall behaving like this when PJ won in 1992."
Time is an excellent healer. My younger sister loved to take the liquid form of cod liver oil as a child. She knew it was good for her, and swallowed it willingly each day. She never had to be coerced by our mother. In time, those who did not vote for Portia will come together in the interest of the PNP.
But it is not a process that can be forced. P.J. Patterson was not an enforcer, and employed none to act on his behalf. He now walks into a comfortable retirement, and we trust that Portia will seek out his footsteps.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
