Cable: JLP caused its own problems

The United States Embassy in Kingston has argued that while the Jamaica Labour Party inherited several problems from the People's National Party (PNP) administration which ruled the country for 18 years, some of the early difficulties faced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding were caused by persons in his party.

"Some of the struggles faced by the GOJ (Government of Jamaica) are partially due to the lack of leadership on the part of some ministers," the embassy said in a diplomatic cable dated April 2008.

The disclosure of the cable comes at a time when Golding is reportedly pondering a long-promised reshuffle of his Cabinet.

The cable, sent to Washington just over six months after the new prime minister took office, argued that while there had been some progress during his early days in Jamaica House, the changes promised by Golding had come at a snail's pace.

no blame for golding

But the US was not blaming Golding for the delays in implementing some of the changes promised in the JLP manifesto in the lead-up to the 2007 general election.

"The JLP appears to be on the right track to improving governance in Jamaica, but whether these reforms will have staying power or long-term effect is still unknown," the embassy said in the cable to Washington.

The embassy seemed to take a swipe at the then National Security Minister Derrick Smith, stating: "To date all major reforms implemented in crime fighting and the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) have been spearheaded by the dynamic Hardley Lewin, commissioner of police."

According to the cable, the JLP's slim majority in Parliament was also dictating the moves Golding could make in implementing his proposed reforms.

"Since the JLP has only a razor-thin 32-28 majority, Golding must walk a fine line to keep all his party members on-board with the proposals.

"He has not been able to have a Cabinet of true loyalists because of the need to satisfy other elements of the party in the distribution of power and portfolios," said the cable.

cabinet reshuffle

Golding was to make a mini-Cabinet reshuffle weeks after the US sent off the cable, shifting Smith from national security to mining and telecommunications, while Clive Mullings maintained the energy portfolio and Colonel Trevor MacMillan was given the national security ministry.

Less than one year later, a more substantial reshuffle was announced by Golding with Smith, Mullings and MacMillan being moved out of the Cabinet and Daryl Vaz given information, James Robertson appointed the minister of mining and energy, and Dwight Nelson given the security portfolio.

With the resignation of Robertson last week, Golding added mining and energy to his portfolio while he contemplates the Cabinet reshuffle which he says will be announced shortly.