Perhaps it’s the unbearably hot weather, and the Saharan dust that should have gone away by now, and the rain ever hovering on the horizon but never materialising. Yes, air pollution is lousy and we are being advised to go back to mask wearing.
I feel that I should be wearing a mask (and probably ear plugs) for quite different reasons: perhaps, to shut out the particularly unpleasant atmosphere in Jamaican public affairs at the moment. The air is toxic. I agree with the Advocates Network (see their press release below). The general public (apart from members of the Green and Orange Tribes, who are ever busy on social media) is quite distrustful and despairing, as the Network notes.
The level of political discourse in general has been on the decline for some time. Members of Parliament, local government councillors and other officials – elected by us to work for us! – are hooting, braying and cackling in their various chambers, while we – the public, who elected them – sit with our jaws dropping.
Much of the vitriol is directed at the Integrity Commission and the Auditor General, two government entities established to address corruption. There are thinly veiled insults, not-so-subtle quasi-legal manoeuvrings, and attempts to discredit and destroy the reputations of respectable, dedicated public servants. All of this comes on the heels of the similarly jaw-dropping announcement of huge salary increases for our political leaders, which still sticks in many throats.
The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is not covering itself in glory, either, after three parish councillors resigned from the party this week. I just listened to an exhausting audio recording of councillors in Westmoreland, with breaks which appeared to be edited-out “bad words,” like they do with rap music on radio. It sounded like feeding time at the zoo. In the background was the futile rapping of the gavel by the Chair of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation, the PNP Mayor Bertel Moore (whose name was most unfortunately fixed on the front of the corporation’s building two years ago); and the embarrassed laughter of colleagues. The Deputy Mayor was unceremoniously voted out in today’s “sitting” – which included much shrieking and yelling.
Is the Jamaica Labour Party celebrating its eightieth birthday by repeatedly shooting itself in the foot? And what on earth is going on in the People’s National Party?
Columnist Peter Espeut, who never minces his words, put it thus (do read the rest of his column):
You can tell the Integrity Commission is doing a good job by the number of high-ranking politicians publicly criticising it and trying to neuter it.
Jamaica Gleaner, July 7, 2023
After all of this, it is no wonder that a recent public opinion poll showed the Jamaican public replacing their “top most corrupt” group (the police) with politicians. Last month, another opinion poll, which sparked weeks of partisan bickering, showed not only that the shine seems to be coming off the JLP after seven years in power, but also that Jamaicans are disenchanted with politics altogether. Why should we be surprised?
I think the Jamaican public is saying “a plague on both your houses” – to roughly quote Shakespeare.
Like the Advocates Network, and many other Jamaicans who would do anything for a quiet life, I am sick and tired of it. I would kindly ask our political leaders on both sides of the fence to pull themselves together.
Otherwise, it’s going to be a long hot summer, babies!
Advocates Network fully supports the Integrity Commission and Auditor General
Kingston, Jamaica. July 13, 2023.
We at the Advocates Network view the recent actions by Parliamentarians in delaying the tabling of the Auditor General and the Integrity Commission (IC) reports in Parliament, and increasing vitriolic critiques of the IC, as UNACCEPTABLE. In addition, the recent outrageous and unconscionable salary increases given to the political directorate and the Governor General are cause for serious concern by the entire country.
Corruption, crime, cronyism and arrogance by political leaders have led us to the point where many Jamaicans now distrust politicians and feel despair about the current state of our country.
It appears that the focus by our politicians is on self-aggrandizement and the rewarding of themselves, their friends and families and NOT on the business of sustainable development that can benefit the Jamaican people.
The time has come for the government of Jamaica (GOJ) to rethink its approach to governance. Honesty and integrity must be prioritized in the management of our country’s affairs for the benefit of our people and not for the personal gain of a few who control the levers of power in government.
Our political leaders must be reminded that they represent us, the people of Jamaica. We want them to be looking out for our best interests, not the interests of the few who we have elected to act on our behalf and in our collective interest.
We wish to make it clear that the Integrity Commission and the Auditor General are there to protect our interests and we do not support the efforts of the GOJ to discredit or undermine either of these institutions.
It has now been over six (6) weeks since the 200+% increased salaries for politicians were announced and it is clear that despite widespread protests and objections from all levels of society, this is far more important to our politicians than the needs of our children and our people for education, health and other necessities. _______________________
POSTSCRIPT
We use this Press Release to reiterate that the AN is a non-partisan alliance of individuals and organizations advocating for human rights and good governance to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people of Jamaica and transform lives. We actively encourage citizen participation in addressing the structural issues of inequality, injustice, discrimination, abuse, violence, corruption, and other social problems that have persisted from our history of slavery/colonization and contributed to human rights abuses and poor governance in Jamaica. We encourage all Jamaicans to become actively engaged in addressing these issues as part of their civic responsibility in strengthening our democracy and creating a better Jamaica. This includes through voting and active engagement in the political process, including in party politics.
Petchary's Blog 
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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