Holness' daunting tasks ahead
Published:Sunday | October 9, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
With Andrew Holness set to occupy the position of prime minister, performers in the local political arena seem to be having challenges in determining which of the two tasks - that of head of the Government or leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) - will be more daunting.
The initial indicators signal that 'the new man of the moment' will assume governance of a fragile economy as well as a political party that is fractured at best.
Political commentator Paul Ashley argued that Holness' endorsement by the parliamentary group more than a month before Golding demits office constitutes a further blurring of the line between party and governance, given claims that he has to be ratified by the delegates.
Ashley describes the political scenario as tricky. "Nothing has changed because we have a new prime minister or the JLP has a new leader. He suggested that both the economy and the JLP are still in shambles.
Assistant professor at the Roger Williams University in the United States, Dr Hume Johnson is of the view that it is a toss-up that will require a combination of dexterity and determination on Holness' part.
Deputy general secretary of the rival People's National Party (PNP) Julian Robinson agrees with Johnson that both tasks will be monumental.
However, professor at the University of the West Indies Professor Anthony Clayton argued that the greater challenge will be on governance of the state.
Holness is expected to be formally endorsed at today's meeting of Area Council One which comprises the 15 constituencies in the Corporate Area.
"He will have to stamp his authority on his party, of course, but the greater task is to reverse four decades of poor governance and economic underperformance, eradicate corruption, and sever the links between politics and organised crime," asserted Clayton.
Raises questions
The loss of confidence in outgoing Prime Minister Bruce Golding among influential party members, particularly the parliamentary group and the resulting disrespect shown to him, by his own admission, speaks eloquently to the untenable state of the JLP.
It also raises questions as to whether the new leader can rise to be the supreme motivator in such a divisive environment.
Clayton is of the view that the really tough task with which Holness will be saddled will be making a decisive break with the compromised politics of the past.
"We need statesmen - people who will put the interests of the nation before the narrow sectarian interests of their party," Clayton told The Sunday Gleaner.
Johnson is of the view that society at this time is virtually ungovernable. "To govern a seemingly ungovernable society such as Jamaica with its myriad social and economic woes will be especially daunting for any prime minister," she declared.
"From the party perspective, the JLP has historically been a fractious organisation which demands strong, almost authoritarian type leadership, which is not his (Holness') style of leadership," Johnson added.
"To re-image the JLP as a united, strong organisation of youth and vitality, of fresh ideas ... should surely be a top priority."
Robinson argued that Holness will have to provide clarity on the status of the International Monetary Fund Agreement and whether the country has met the performance targets.
"The fact is most Jamaicans are worse off today than they were four years ago, so he must address and articulate a plan to revive the economy," charged Robinson. "One of his (Holness) first tests is to see whether he has the political will to have independent consultants to monitor the JDIP road work programme.