LETTERS TO the editor reflect reactions to the daily news and the mood and thoughts of people who read and hear what's happening. Such reponses may not approach the semi-precision of psephology, the statistical study of voting behaviour as recorded by pollsters using sample surveys; but it is close enough to be credible.
We make the point in our own reaction to subtle changes in the flow of feedback to the election of Portia Simpson Miller as president-elect of the governing People's National Party and Prime Minister-designate of Jamaica. The initial adulation has been influenced by her gender - the historical attainment of a woman for the first time to the highest point of administrative leadership of the nation.
The reality, however, as today's Letter of the Day on the page opposite puts it: "We now have a new leader but old policies." The additional reality is that incumbent Prime Minister P.J. Patterson is still in charge. His delay in demitting office is an awkward period for his successor. She remains a member of the Cabinet over which he still presides and, presumably will be preparing for the Budget Debate to launch the new parliamentary session. If, as is anticipated, Mrs. Simpson Miller has taken office by then, she would have a Cabinet of her own choosing but will be leading the Government with a Budget formulated under the leadership of her predecessor.
This surely will be a test of her capacity to lead in the context of inevitable policy challenges from the Opposition in the parliamentary chamber. However, the challenge goes even beyond the chamber. A further reality faces a revamped team of Government legislators. Any early general election must happen at least six months before the start of the Cricket World Cup in March next year, which is one of the conditions for the staging of the tournament .
Political observers have made the point that the new Prime Minister would want to get a national mandate to reinforce her new status. An early election could take advantage of the momentum which propelled her to triumph in the presedential polls recently. But this would also coincide with the wishes of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, waiting so long in the political wilderness.
We have already expressed reservations about returning so soon to the fractious vibes of political campaigning, especially at a time when so many critical challenges face the nation; and knowing that the contention this time will be across and not within party lines. The battle for and against a fifth PNP term should await a more propitious maturing of the relatively new leadership of both major political parties.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
