Gordon Robinson | Something for everyone

On Tuesday, May 20, during an historic sitting of Parliament, Peter David Phillips made his final contribution to that eminent institution.

It was advertised as a Sectoral Debate contribution but, in reality, it became a rallying cry to Jamaicans to find the way forward together. His theme was collaboration to achieve a collective purpose. The speech leant heavily on rare historical examples of Jamaica’s progress whenever that methodology featured. He pointed out that the very existence of Parliament “emerged after Universal Adult Suffrage was achieved in 1944 as the result of a common striving for rights on behalf of the Jamaican People.”

He was careful with his choice of words regarding the collaborative process resulting in the 1962 Constitution. Almost as if he had near-at-hand legal advice, he said: “When the terms of the Jamaican Constitution were settled by a Committee of this House, the then Premier N.W. Manley invited the Leader of the Opposition Sir Alexander Bustamante to travel with him to London where the final Agreements regarding the structure and content of the Independence Constitution was settled jointly.”

True enough. Civil law Advocates (Counsel) know that “settled” is a process whereby Senior Counsel vets and finalises a document drafted by someone else. Based on my political education, I can confirm this was indeed the case. But the point Peter was making with which I agree is that, whatever input we were permitted, N.W. Manley ensured it was a collaborative input.

He went on to itemize positive results from other political collaborations including Electoral Commission (ECJ); Political Ombudsman; Charter of Fundamental rights; and the program for reduction of public debt including Economic Program Oversight Committee (EPOC). As he put it: “the overarching lesson of our years as an Independent nation is the fact that all our great accomplishments have been the result collective endeavours”.

Well, not all. But pretty much all political achievements have resulted from collaboration. He insisted that collaboration didn’t mean only between PNP and JLP but, as he put it “united national effort was involved.” None have come from unilateral action. The lesson from Peter Phillips’ statesmanlike farewell is that the more we engage in political finger pointing the less we are likely to achieve. The moral to be taken from his political experience is that success in political action comes from collaboration and consultation with We the People. Edicts from above, issued by politicians clothed with temporary authority, only achieve division.

As Portia often said “Give the people what they want!” If you can….

But Peter, in his new role as former politician, failed to go where his experience ought to have led him namely to acknowledge that these rare occasions of political collaboration were driven by political necessity. The EOJ/ECJ came about after political violence and electoral fraud had become so inter-connected; reached such horrendous levels; and Drug Dons replaced politicians as controllers of major players. Both sides finally realised they needed systemic rather than personal direction. Political Ombudsman was another necessary attempt to reduce political tensions. But it was collaboratively defanged at birth; became a political football; and was recently unilaterally dismembered.

The collaborative Charter of Fundamental Rights was approved by Edward Seaga due to his obdurate obsession of ensuring that the process permitting the egregious 1976 State of Emergency was dismantled. EPOC arose from the dire necessity created by a fiscal cataclysm.

So Peter was right to call for collaboration. But, if he was being real, he’d also have publicly accepted the current governance system as a collaboration inhibitor. Jamaica’s unlimited ingestion of Westminster ensured collaboration was a regular non-starter. Jamaica’s governance is based on a winner-take-all philosophy whereby Governments can do as they like. It’s incapable of encouraging collaboration.

If Peter wants real collaboration; if he wants collaboration to become the norm; then he should propose a new governance structure that makes collaboration a systemic necessity. It’s called Separation of Powers. It comes in all shapes and sizes but what Jamaica has today isn’t it.

The day wasn’t confined to Peter Phillips. In a dramatic presentation on his late father’s birthday, Daryl Vaz, one of this cabinet’s success stories, also contributed. Daryl, always the consummate politician, laid out some significant achievements; added some grandiose and improbable announcements for future progress; and blended it all together to make a tasty electoral stew.

Daryl’s prediction that a current (no pun intended) 12.5 per cent renewable energy rate would become 50 per cent by 2030 was a tad incredible. But we shall see.

His reminder of lithium battery imports’ duty free status was timely but that began January 2024 and expires December 2025. He didn’t say how the industry has benefited or why it isn’t permanent at least for first time importers. As developing nations we must address USA’s lunatic fringe tariffs and move towards tariff free trade in CARICOM.

Daryl’s assurances that government would do whatever it took to reduce electricity prices reminded me of a famous promise from the late, great Wills O. Isaacs at a 1950s political rally. He said: “May my eyes fall from my head and knock like bone dice if I don’t lower the cost of living.”

Daryl, I know you’ll try. I’m certain you mean well. But lower electricity prices won’t come by focusing on JPS. They can only come from a seismic shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. 12.5% won’t cut it.

Speaking on technology Daryl tried manfully to make minor gains (e.g. laptops for special needs students; teachers; libraries island wide; and UTECH lecturers) sound like giant leaps forward. In actuality our educational facilities are so far behind global digital realities and too many students so lacking in digital capabilities (other than watching Tik Tok) that this only qualifies as better than nothing.

Then there’s to be a gift of 63 tablets to MPs which Daryl said would advance “digital literacy.” The tablets, he said, would contain his full sectoral presentation. LOL. Anyhooo… Why do MPs with their massive salary increase need free tablets? I don’t know. I can’t tell…….

The most important section of his speech on technology was his emphasis on advancing technology capability through education. THIS is progress. It’s one thing to hand out laptops. It’s another to ensure the next generation knows how to use them.

But the only thing average Jamaicans wanted to hear from Daryl was how he’d address the despicable disrespect to consumers by both telecoms providers. He said:

“The second issue is the status of third domestic mobile telecommunications provider. Like all Jamaicans, I look forward to the expansion of service and increased competition, which the introduction of a new player into the telecommunications space promises. Therefore, I too would have liked to have seen this third provider already offering services to the Jamaican people but am cognizant that in a strong and fiercely competitive market, such as Jamaica, getting it right at the outset is important if the objectives are to be achieved.

Therefore, I have been given the assurance that the company is far advanced in its preparatory activities and the people of Jamaica can expect roll out of services soon.”

Too many “therefores” exposes discomfort with therebefores. My BS meter translates: “There’s no balm in Gilead. Telecoms providers will continue to treat their customers like lapdogs. Nothing I can do about it. I believe a third provider would mean increased competition. Or do I believe that competition is already strong and fierce with two? Never mind about that I’m thinking about it. Also wishing and hoping. Soon come.”

The best news came in transportation where the long awaited, urgently needed school bus system seems to be here. Or hereabouts….

“Government will be rolling out phase two of the dedicated rural school bus system to minimize the misery index of our rural students and enhance their safety during daily commute. The continued roll out is scheduled for the start of the new school year. Dedicated school buses [will be] provided to approximately 258….rural schools, which is just about 30 per cent of the total rural population.

Phase one is already under way in Clarendon, St. Thomas, and St. Catherine. Phase two will see 100 fully refurbished buses, retrofitted to enhance safety being deployed across parishes with 60 buses deployed in September 2025 and another 40 by January 2026”

So yes, not yet a fait accompli but this announcement has more of a probability feel than standard pie-in-the-sky political pronouncements. What’s that saying again? If you want something done in politics or government just let Daryl do it.

So it was a day of contrasts. Peter provided the statesmanship. Daryl added political flavour. Something for everyone.

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com