Heather RobinsonTHE ACT by which an individual is proposed as a candidate for a particular position in political life is called nomination. Individuals who have an interest in a political position arrange for individuals to nominate them so that they are eligible for election.
During the last two weeks or so, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) had a pre-arranged process of nominations for their major leadership positions. The withdrawal of Pearnel Charles from the race for party leader resulted in Bruce Golding become de facto leader.
Last Saturday, the People's National Party (PNP) at its 66th annual conference was scheduled to elect five persons to senior positions of leadership. These positions are party president and four vice-presidents.
OBSERVATIONS
P. J. Patterson was elected unopposed as party president (his 12th such election). When the agenda item nominations for the positions of vice-president was concluded the original four vice-presidents (Portia Simpson Miller, Peter Phillips, Paul Robertson and Karl Blythe) and a fifth
person, Paul Burke, were nominated.
These elections did not take place on Saturday last, but are now scheduled for February 5 at the Mico Teachers' College Auditorium.
Sitting in the National Arena last Saturday, I was able to make several observations. Firstly, persons who were first-time attendees I was seated beside one such person were a bit concerned as to what was happening. Party conference is the time when party members meet and discuss the party's business. This person wanted to know what are the criteria an individual should satisfy before being able to offer himself/herself for the position of vice-president. I tried to explain.
Firstly, the person must be a member of a recognised party group. That is the basic requirement.
So what else, she asked, and are there any special requirements for the person who nominates a candidate for vice-president?
That person, I explained, should be a delegate at the conference, with easy access to the microphone and have a very audible voice. And so we had a discussion about the candidate and the 'nominator'.
CHARACTERISTICS
Here, now, are some characteristics of both. Both individuals should be recognisable and known to the party delegates and command their respect, even if not their support.
Persons should preferably have political tenure and a good record of party work. Some people also believe that persons who offer themselves for position of leadership should have a record of being elected by the Jamaican electorate, and not just the party delegates.
And by far the most important prerequisite candidates and their nominators should have is a positive antecedent report. This report should prove that the individuals have never graced Her Majesty's prisons or any of the legions of correctional centres in the United States.
This is important because we are well aware of the rate of recidivism that exists among persons who have criminal records, and the desire of such persons to align themselves to persons who have political power as a means of protecting themselves and their criminal activities. Prosperity to them is about increasing their personal wealth, and has nothing to do with improving the living and economic conditions of the very poor in our country.
QUESTIONING MOTIVE
The purpose of a political party is to gain and maintain state power through the electoral process. There is no denying this. Bruce Golding's planned re-entry into representational politics via Western Kingston proves this.
So if you have never offered yourself as a nominee for the candidacy of a parish council division, much more a constituency, and you believe you have the right to bypass these steps into the leadership of a political party, one must question the real motive of any such person.
If, therefore, you are ever contemplating offering yourself for political office, ensure that those that 'follow back a you' can stand and pass the scrutiny of not only party delegates, but also the wider Jamaican electorate. And also, while preparing yourself for such positions ensure that you leave no scars that will haunt you all the way into retirement.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
