Vernon Daley

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has managed to fire the members of the Public Service Commission in what is being viewed by some as a skilful piece of legal and political manoeuvring. So it may be. However, the Prime Minister has left the feeling, among some, that he is not truly committed to the reforms in governance about which he so often speaks.

For many years, this country has talked about changing the structure of government, including lessening the awesome power of the Prime Minister. Yet, over these many years, very little has been done. The reason for that is clear. Once our leaders taste that addictive prime ministerial power, it is near impossible for them to give it up. They see the dangers while in Opposition, but when they get into government a new beast is formed.

Why would anyone want to relinquish the kind of power that Mr. Golding exercised last week? The Prime Minister, under our governance arrangements, gets whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

Mr. Golding's actions are apparently up for judicial review early next year. However, even if he acted within the four corners of the Constitution, it is clear he is not yet of a mindset that can accommodate 'inde-pendence' among appointees to sensitive posts in government. This is a pity for it flies in the face of his own pronouncements.

Controversy

The Jamaica Labour Party, in its manifesto for the 2007 general elections, committed itself to reforms in the way appointments are made to these posts. It said they "would be approved by a two-thirds majority in each House, thereby requiring consensus between the government and the opposition". Among the bodies that would be subject to this new formula is the very Public Service Commission that is now embroiled in controversy.

I'm willing to wager, based on the recent performance of the Prime Minister, that we are not going to see that change any time soon. And, even if it is taken on board eventually, there will be great qualifications to ensure prime ministerial power is preserved. After all, how would a Prime Minister function if he couldn't prevent the appointment of a public servant with whom he didn't have the best of personal relationships?

The first 100 days

Much is being made about the new government's first 100 days in office. Quite rightly, it has got mixed reviews so far. The administration has kept true to its election promise to abolish tuition fees and that was a very good start. It also moved decisively in dealing with the scrap metal industry and the illegalities which were taking place there. Outside of those things, I can't see too much more with which to credit the Government in these early days.

Its performance on crime has been uninspiring. Clearly, there is no quick fix to the high murder rate, but Jamaicans, I think, want to see something happening in the political directorate that gives some hope that there is a plan somewhere to get this madness under control. Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin was expected to take up office as Police Commissioner yesterday, so let's hope he can throw us a lifeline before we are all completely drowned in blood.

Of course, the Public Service Commission issue hasn't done any good for the Government. We must be careful not to overestimate the political impact of the Prime Minister's firing of the commission. It will not lead to the collapse of the Government. Nevertheless, the accumulation of misdeeds, over time, does take its toll on an administration.