That Bertram appointment
published: Thursday | January 2, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE COVERT appointment of Arnold Bertram as the so-called special advisor and consultant to the Minister of Water and Housing is another reason why the nation must proceed expeditiously towards reforming the political system.
Though not a die-hard supporter of the executive presidential political model, the current Jamaican Westminster political brand has vested too much power; such as, the power to make political appointments without any input from the Parliament, in hands of the Executive.
We must establish a political system that would require all the Prime Minister's main political appointments to be established by statute. At the same time, as a nation, we must ensure a philosophy that regards government as a business and allow the Prime Minister (CEO) to appoint Ministers/Advisors (vice-presidents/directors) he/she sees fit to direct the Ministries (Strategic Business Units). We must envisage Parliament as the corporate board, the defender of the shareholders (the citizenry) and grant Members of Parliament (board members) the power to accept or reject the Prime Minister's (CEO's) appointments.
