OPPOSITION LEADER Bruce Golding on Thursday made several proposals on governance which, if they are to be implemented, would require greater commitment to working with the Government than obtains at present.
Mr. Golding has proposed bilateral talks with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on human rights issues in establishing a charter of rights. He has also forwarded to the Prime Minister a copy of the recommendations from the Trevor MacMillan Task Force on Crime, 'A Roadmap to a Safe and Secure Jamaica'.
These, plus his invitation for her to walk the streets of garrison communities for, among other things, an opportunity to examine the dynamics of Jamaica's crime problem, point to an Opposition Leader reaching out for some form of rapprochement, his party having decided not to resume the Vale Royal talks with the Government last year. The latter proposal is ironic given that both he and Mrs. Simpson Miller represent two of the most clearly identified political garrison constituencies in Jamaica, and have been key players in institutionalising the phenomenon in Jamaica.
Perhaps this is Mr. Golding's way of suggesting a willingness to return to the discussion table. Last September, taking to the streets in protests seemed a more attractive option until that plan flopped.
Nonetheless, we do believe there is much merit in having the political leaders and their representatives discussing national issues without the fear of either losing their competitive edge on the hustings. The country is crying out for consensus on how best to tackle several social and economic issues and we believe there is a place for more collaborative talks along the lines suggested by Mr. Golding.
The move by the Opposition to forward its task force report at the same time they are studying it, suggests a greater concern for the welfare of the nation than gaining any special praise for whatever workable proposals it may have.
This is commendable. For while the Government has had a range of advisers and a slew of reports on crime fighting, if there are new ideas or new ways of looking at old problems and steps are taken to implement them, then it is the people of the country who stand to benefit. And that is the task to which Government and Opposition members have publicly committed themselves to addressing as representatives of the people.
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