Jalil Dabdoub | Cabinet bloat and the crisis of entitlement

The recent Cabinet appointments, along with the insolent walkout by veteran member of parliament (MP) Everald Warmington, apparently in protest to his omission from same, expose the entitlement and tribalism embedded in our political culture.

The prime minister holds the constitutional authority to appoint his Cabinet. It is his prerogative — and burden — to select a team that reflects competence, discipline, and the national interest. No member of parliament, regardless of seniority or party loyalty, is entitled to a ministerial post. Cabinet appointments are not political pension plans or tokens of gratitude; they are instruments of national governance.

In that light, Mr Warmington’s reaction was ill-mannered and disappointing — though not surprising. His behaviour did not so much break new ground as it laid bare what many in this country already know: politicians operate on the assumption that ministerial office is owed, not earned. His petulant, spoilt-child walkout was not the root problem, but a symptom of a deeper malaise — the normalisation of entitlement and patronage politics.

But, if Warmington’s actions were unfortunate, the prime minister’s Cabinet formation also demands scrutiny.

What we have seen is not merely the exercise of executive discretion, but the apparent use of Cabinet appointments as political rewards — a continuation of the culture of political spoils that Jamaicans have grown weary of.

Consider, for example, the ever-expanding list of ‘ministers without portfolio’ in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) — a curious breed of officials who draw full salaries, wielding influence, yet lacking any clear policy responsibility. Their presence raises legitimate questions about waste and political patronage masquerading as governance.

VAGUELY DEFINED

Equally troubling is the persistence of redundant or vaguely defined ministries, often with overlapping functions. Consider these:

• Minister without Portfolio responsible for Science, Technology and Special Projects

• Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development responsible for Land Titling and Settlements

• Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for Works

In this case, ‘works’ and ‘infrastructure development’ appear dangerously duplicative. These bureaucratic constructs do little more than inflate the number of ministers, their support staff, and operational costs — while diluting policy coherence and weakening accountability.

Recent estimates suggest that Jamaica’s Cabinet and sub-Cabinet will cost the public over J$678.7 million per year in salaries alone. This in a country grappling with infrastructure needs, under-resourced public services, and persistent inequality. The governance structure has become bloated, inefficient, and expensive.

Jamaica, with a population of just under 3 million, has nearly 30 ministers and sub-ministers. New Zealand, with 5 million people, only 20 ministers — and no ‘ministers without portfolio’. Ireland, with a population similar to Jamaica’s, typically has 15 Cabinet ministers.

These comparisons force us to ask: why do we need more ministers to govern fewer people, with fewer resources, and often with less effectiveness?

Some argue that higher salaries attract better talent and reduce corruption. In theory, a well-paid political class should be more focused on public service.

But, in the Jamaican context, this theory hasn’t delivered. Despite substantial increases in ministerial pay, we’ve seen no measurable improvement in efficiency or integrity. The perception of corruption remains entrenched, and public confidence is eroding. If anything, the optics of ballooning salaries amid accountability, transparency, and governance shortcomings have deepened public cynicism.

UNEARNED POLITICAL REWARD

Pay alone does not buy integrity. It must be matched with clear mandates, measurable results, and consequences for failure. Otherwise, it becomes another unearned political reward.

The Jamaican Constitution, at Section 69(2), mandates a minimum of 12 ministers (including the prime minister) but imposes no upper limit. It is a loophole that demands urgent constitutional attention.

Proposed reforms could include:

• A cap on the number of ministers, tied to population or fiscal limits

• Parliamentary approval for any expansion beyond the cap

• Containment of expenditure

These steps would enhance accountability and limit patronage.

As the country moves toward constitutional modernisation — including the potential transition to a republic — this is an opportune moment to enshrine structural safeguards against executive bloat.

To be fair, one move deserves praise: merging the Ministry of Justice with the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs — a rare, welcome step toward coherent governance — a recognition that justice reform and constitutional transformation are deeply interlinked.

But the prime minister should have gone further. Several ministries remain unnecessary, duplicative, or symbolic, apparently created more to satisfy internal political demands than to advance a coherent national agenda.

Some argue party unity requires compromise — rewarding senior MPs to maintain cohesion.

There is truth to that. But leadership — real leadership — is the art of resisting the easy trade-off between governance and convenience. The prime minister’s role is not to pacify egos but to build a government that serves the people.

Ultimately, we cannot afford a government structure that prioritises internal party deals over public delivery. We cannot normalise the view that ministerial posts are prizes to be handed out, regardless of vision, temperament, or skill.

If the prime minister wants to be taken seriously as a transformational leader, he must make the hard choices. He must be willing to offend allies, cut excess, and model the very discipline he expects of others.

No, it is not easy. But leadership is not about ease. It is about principle.

Jamaica deserves a government that is fit for purpose. It deserves a prime minister who governs with the country in mind, not the party. And it deserves leaders who remember that public office is not a possession, but a trust.

Jalil S. Dabdoub is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com