Robert Buddan, POLITICS OF OUR TIMEThe People's National Party (PNP) made its first reappearance since the September 3 elections on the occasion of its annual conference on September 16. As it did when it last lost a general election in 1980, it has set up an appraisal committee to assess its performance in the elections and make recommendations for going forward. The party expects to have the committee's report by December. This might indicate that the party intends to hold a special conference early next year to consider the report and conduct other party business like electing its officers, including its president and vice-presidents. The question of Portia Simpson Miller's future as party leader will be settled then, at least for the time being. A question many have been wondering about.
The appraisal of 1980 had the benefit of Michael Manley's own personal analysis of the election defeat. Manley's analysis came in his book, Struggle in the Periphery, published in 1982. The appraisal committee had also solicited the views of 52 non-PNP persons from different classes and occupations. The appraisal included the opinions of the PNP Women's Movement and the PNP Youth Organisation.
This appraisal committee will not have the benefit of reports to the party conference from its affiliates, and regions and constituencies, analysing the performance of the party organisation at different levels, as the 1980 committee did. The recommendations of the 1980 committee were largely followed and by 1984, the PNP was the most popular party in Jamaica again easily winning local government elections in 1986 and going on to win four consecutive general elections after.
The PNP will, however, have the benefit of more recent appraisals of the party's role and organisation in its current state. In 1998 a special committee was convened, and produced The 21st Century Mission under the chairmanship of Peter Phillips to guide the party on its role as a party and government in transforming the society under globalisation. In 2004, the party produced the Plan of Action for Transforming and Rebuilding the Party. Its objectives were to retool the party to make it responsive to the generation of today. The party sought to address declining voter support even though it was still winning general elections; and the defeat in the local government elections of 2003. The new appraisal committee does not have to reinvent the wheel. There have been problems long recognised by the party. The problem is that many of the most critical recommendations were not followed up. But new issues must be appraised.
At the 2007 conference, Portia Simpson Miller listed some actions that the party needs to take even while the appraisal committee was doing its work. These include renewed emphasis on political education; leadership development programmes at all levels; broadening the membership of the party; making party groups more effective, especially in working with communities; making the party's policy and research bodies more effective; and communicating the parties achievements better. The party leader could offer these directions because these lines of action had been agreed on already.
more time for the party
The party will now have more time to do what it had not done before, pay more ongoing attention to the party organisation, because even if it had won, the problems would still have to be addressed. People are voting less and identifying less with our parties and their representatives. Forty per cent of the electorate did not vote for either the PNP or the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
While the party does its reappraisal, it is also defining its role as the parliamentary opposition. This was the other theme of Mrs. Simpson Miller's presentation at the conference last week. Drawing on Norman Manley's advice, Jamaica's parliamentary tradition, and the expectations of a JLP Government, she defined the parliamentary role of the opposition as protecting the interests of Jamaica and Jamaicans; conducting its role by peaceful and legal means; holding the government to the policies started by the PNP and reminding it of the benefits of the planning and policy legacy of PNP governments; and insisting that the JLP fulfils its promises on education, health, salary increases, toll rates, among others.
WORST NIGHTMARE
Unfortunately, sections of the media have jumped on the phrase 'worst nightmare' as the main message about what the PNP's role in opposition will mean, causing the JLP to respond in kind. This has not only detracted from the main message but has the potential for setting the parties off on the wrong track rather than helping to lay the ground for any constructive partnership that might be possible. The PNP does have a right to demand that two ballot boxes in St. Mary be counted in a race that separates the two candidates by only 37 votes. The Electoral Office of Jamaica promised that all votes would be counted.
The PNP was right to raise questions about the possible conflict of interest between a minister in the ministry of finance who will be receiving part of his salary from a private firm and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce has asked that any possible conflict of interest be removed. The PNP was right to ask about the size and cost of the new executive and The Gleaner had already raised this issue. The PNP is right to test the case of the eligibility of certain persons for seats in Pparliament based on what the constitution says. These are all pertinent concerns to the opposition and the country.
The more appropriate headline was the less dramatic 'We will be watching you'. This is what is expected from an opposition since the opposition must be vibrant in a parliamentary democracy. The opposition is the first line of defence in the system's checks and balances. But it must also be able to present itself as a to government. In both these regards, the party's appraisal is important. Its policy committee must have the right research.
strong party necessary
Its membership must be broad enough to include the views of the widest cross-section. Its group base must be connected enough with communities to properly represent them. Its members must have the kind of political education that makes the party's mission relevant to them. A strong party is necessary for a strong opposition and a strong opposition is vital to democracy.
Portia Simpson Miller emphasised that the opposition would rely on parliament and the law in fulfilling its role. There was no call to arms; no mobilisation of the streets; and no call for boycotts and non-cooperation. In fact, I will go so far as to say that the PNP has already averted a constitutional crisis.
By allowing the new prime minister to be sworn in, in the interest of the transition to a new government, it has given up any possible claim to try and form the new Government by holding out should court decisions lead to an eventual 30:30 seat tie. Parties in other parts of the world have been known to refuse to relinquish power, to boycott Parliament and mobilise its mass support to paralyse the country under any controversial circumstance. The PNP has done the right thing. It has decided to watch itself and watch the opposition.
Robert Buddan lectures in the Department of Government, UWI, Mona. Email: Robert.Buddan@uwimona.edu.jm
