Heather Robinson

There aren't many Jamaicans who are interested in offering themselves as candidates in representational politics. The majority prefers to sit and constantly criticise those who do. Criticisms range from competence, looks, personality, financial standing and length of service to the political party.

Within the private sector of Jamaica, there aren't many employers who would release an employee to run as a candidate. Many employers fear that the company will be affected negatively by the presence of one of their own campaigning on behalf of either political party. Companies prefer to remain anonymous and give privately to the political party of their choice.

Over the years, therefore, persons who have come from the private sector as candidates have either come from an enlightened employer such as Life of Jamaica, or have been owners and operators of their own businesses. Jamaica has therefore, never been blessed - as much as was needed - to have many successful business leaders sitting inside Cabinet meetings. R. Danny Williams can tell us of the many lessons he learnt in the late '70s when he became a minister of government having vacated the president's office at Life of Jamaica.

Welcome news

It is against this background that I welcome the headlines in Tuesday's Gleaner: 'Bunting returns - Investment banker to contest seat again for PNP'. It is welcome news because Peter Bunting, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for South East Clarendon between 1993 and 1997, has decided to give up a salary that is multiples of what an MP or minister earns. Many will never understand why Mr. Bunting would decide at age 47 to leave his job as the chief executive officer of a major financial institution to serve as an MP after a 10-year break.

In his own words, he told The Gleaner: "I have always maintained that I was an accidental businessman. My real love has always been politics - wanting to serve people. I got into business because of circumstances - being a father of two children and knowing that I had to make a decent living to provide for them." Mr Bunting served his clients at Dehring, Bunting and Golding (DB&G) well in these last 10 years, and must have learnt more each day about the rewards associated with excellent service.

A record of successful achievements

His return to political life, therefore, is a welcome one because he brings with him financial independence and a record of successful achievements that made Jamaica take note, and more so Scotiabank Jamaica and Canada. The formula for a successful life in business must have value in the political marketplace. His experience in doing good for his customers and his previous tenure as an MP have prepared him well for his return to representational politics. Financial independence must also put him in a place of personal comfort that not many candidates can claim to enjoy.

Peter Bunting must therefore use this opportunity to try and interest more successful business persons to come forward and join the fight for our own native land. If he considers this as one of his goals, then the Jamaican political landscape will be a changed place. During the next couple of months, I hope he will be able to attract others like himself to play a more activist role in Jamaica's political life. Once he has been elected to serve in the Parliament, we trust he will be able to get many to join in this fight for the reclamation of our country.

Jamaica needs many more like Peter Bunting, and we trust he will be able to persuade them to join him.