Robert Buddan: POLITICS OF OUR TIME

In 2001, the two leading parties in Trinidad and Tobago ended up in an 18-18-seat tie. The country's political scientist and pollster, Professor Selwyn Ryan, argued that this presented an opportunity for shared governance, a subject on which he had written extensively.

The president chose the unusual course of appointing the Leader of the Opposition as Prime Minister, even though his party had received 3.4 per cent less of the popular votes. The opportunity for shared governance in the ethnically divided society was missed.

The Jamaican elections of 2007 resulted in a tie in popular votes. Each party received virtually 50 per cent of the national vote. The few seats that separate them amount to a couple hundred votes that could otherwise have made the outcome a 30:30 seat tie. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has the majority to govern but not to do so confidently. Crossing of the floor, ill health, or death followed by losses in by-elections, disqualification from parliament, or the absence of Members of Parliament travelling overseas during crucial legislative votes, will all keep the party wondering.

Even if the People's National Party (PNP) were to reverse the margin with its court cases, it would still find itself with a razor thin parliamentary majority and divided mandate. It, too, would have to consider some kind of shared governance.

Shared governance does not have to mean sharing ministries. It can mean sharing a parliamentary agenda on which the parties already agree or are not so far apart that they cannot accommodate themselves to an agreement. It would mark an opportunity for shared governance and a mature democracy.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Norman Manley's formula for Jamaica was 'two parties - one national movement'. Alexander Bustamante once told the British colonials that Jamaica's problems were for its parties to work out in 'cousinship'. The sentiment for working together has been a part of our political history.

The circumstances just never made it as realistic as present circumstances do. For instance, on three previous occasions, the JLP won elections with a popular vote difference of one per cent or less. However, its seat margins were more secure.

The parties can choose between opportunism and opportunity. Opportunism means exploiting circumstances to gain immediate advantage rather then being guided by consistent principles or plans. Opportunity means exploiting circumstances that can gain immediate advantage while being guided by consistent principles and plans. It is to the advantage of the two parties to make good the opportunity that can suit their immediate advantage while being true to their principles and plans.

Both party leaders have spoken of the principle of working together. Mr. Golding said 'one hand can't clap'. The PNP campaigned on, 'One Jamaica, One Family'.

When Portia Simpson Miller conceded she said: "The People's National Party, as part of its highest traditions, respects and will always respect the voice of the Jamaican people as expressed in the vote." But what is that voice saying? Bruce Golding summed it up this way: "It may very well be that the people of Jamaica, in their profound wisdom, are sending a clear message that the time has come for constructive engagement among the political forces of the country."

One immediate priority demanding constructive engagement is relief to those hurt by Hurricane Dean. The new parliament must quickly gear up for disaster preparedness since we are in the midst of the hurricane season. There could be no better reminder that people must get priority over politics than when Hurricane Felix thundered just south of Jamaica on election day.

After years of collaboration, the parties have enough agreement to move full speed ahead, so to speak, on constitutional reform. Other issues of this campaign (financing, qualifications for parliament, election dates, number of constituencies) should be considered too without dragging the process out much longer. Jamaicans deserve a better constitution and it is inconceivable to expect better governance with a constitution written 45 years ago.

Elections emphasise differences. Governance emphasises consensus. The parties are close enough on social issues like crime and violence, unemployment, education, health and housing to achieve a consensus. Constructive engagement requires that we re-focus on reaching the targets of the Millennium Goals by 2015.

The PNP has invested heavily in the vision and plans to make Jamaica into a developed country by 2030. Trinidad and Barbados have similar intent with shorter deadlines. Jamaica must keep up with other countries and remain a part of CARICOM's plans for integrated development. Both parties must work together to plan together.

The two parties are convinced that the economy can grow much more. They must continue the infrastructure projects, expansion of tourism, growth in investments, zoning different parts of the country for development, and use parish and community development committees to bring people into the dialogue.

We are a small country with many friends. We must take help from wherever it is given. We should not jeopardise our vital oil agreement with Venezuela just as the United States preserves its agreements with that country. We cannot afford to alienate our friends, and as for enemies, we have none (but ourselves).

PARTNERING FOR DEVELOPMENT

What Mr. Golding calls constructive engagement is what the PNP calls partnership. Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga had started the Vale Royal Summits. The PNP government and public sector trade unions had established the Memorandum of Understanding for industrial stability, macro-economic management, and employee development. The private sector had begun, but did not complete the partnership for progress.

The basis for constructive partnership has been laid. But the parties must not believe that it is only they that need to constructively engage. The private sector, trade unions and environmentalists must make the quality of working life, consumer products, service, and ecological sustainability such as to improve the quality of life in the economy generally. The private sector must be disciplined and made to understand that it is not above governance. The media too must share a vision for Jamaica and promote that vision unambiguously.

Both the JLP and PNP must quickly return to a sense of realism. After a year of campaigning, an advertising blitz, heavy financing, backing from the most powerful sections of the society, Hurricane Dean, and 18 years of PNP rule, the JLP did not get the sweep it spoke of and only barely won. This should force a reality check. The PNP had to lose an election sometime and its loss now will release the tensions built up and dissipate frustration over unmet expectations that might otherwise have worse future consequences for the party.

Jamaica must now prove that it is a mature democracy. It has passed the test of free and fair elections within a competitive two-party system. It must now have a constitutional transition and swearing-in of a new government. The parties must trust each other to govern in the interest of the country. They can create some parliamentary form and forum, complemented by a national commission on governance, to manage a partnership for constructive engagement to make Jamaica one family. There is still a role for elder statesmen like P.J. Patterson and Edward Seaga in this. They have the experience and nothing to lose.

Robert Buddan lectures in the Department of Government, UWI, Mona. Email: Robert.Buddan@uwimona.edu.jm