http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070916/focus/focus2.html
Published: Sunday | September 16, 2007

"Having spoken to him only a few times, I don't know Bruce Golding very well. So my judgement of the man is based on media reports and the opinions of those who have worked closely with him. But it's my strong impression that there is no more intelligent and honest politician in Jamaica. And everyone who puts their country's interests first - as opposed to party agendas or personal vendettas - must be happy at having a man of such stature involved in national affairs once again." Jamaica Observer, October 7, 2002.

It's not history that repeats itself, it's historians who repeat themselves - or so goes an old joke. And this applies even more to political columns. To make the above current one need only change "involved in national affairs once again" to "running national affairs".

I remember seeing Mr. Golding at a wedding in 2001 a few months after the NDM lost the North East St. Ann by-election and he resigned as leader. He was standing off by himself with no one paying him much attention. Perhaps it was my imagination but he seemed a bit down, and I felt a tinge of sympathy. Here was someone who had dedicated his entire life to politics - he was the youngest MP ever - and seen it end in complete and ignominious failure. All those hours on the campaign trail, all those contentious meetings, all those late nights crafting policy, and for what? I think I went over and muttered "Boy, Mr. Golding, I feel it for you," or some such embarrassed platitude. I mean, what do you say to a man whose dreams have been humiliatingly destroyed in public?

Considering all the sneers and jeers he suffered then, there must be a small voice inside Mr. Golding wanting to shout out loud to all those now tugging at his sleeves. "Who's laughing now, you bunch of ungrateful idiots!" Even he must sometimes pinch himself to see if his comeback journey from obscure radio talk show host to eighth Prime

Minister of Jamaica is not just a hallucination.

classic reaping case

That 1997 NDM defeat was a classic case of reaping to sow 10 years later. For in 2007 it was former 'democrats' Chris Tufton, Gregory Mair, Michael Stern and Daryl Vaz who were the difference between a JLP win and a fifth straight PNP government. All those labourites grumbling about 'NDMisation' should instead be extending bows of gratitude. Not that there is any such thing in politics.

The JLP's narrow win has many calling Jamaica a 'PNP' country. Well the PNP might have had greatercore support than the JLP when there was an ideological divide. But recent elections tell a different story. Take out the pre-determined garrisons - Kingston West, Kingston Central, Kingston East, St. Andrew Western, St. Andrew East Central, St. Andrew South West, St. Andrew South, Clarendon Central and St. Catherine Central - and the JLP won the free and fair vote in 2007 by 3,434 ballots or 1.9 per cent. The PNP won the free and fair vote in 2002 by 18,211 ballots or 2.7 per cent. While in the 2003 local government elections the JLP won overall by 17,199 votes or 3.3 per cent. These margins suggest that nobody owns this country today.

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Election victory margins are shrinking worldwide. Over the past two years Mexico, Germany, Italy, Costa Rica, New Zealand, the Czech Republic and a number of other countries have seen elections decided by one per cent or less. With the traditional left and right ideological divide now all but dead, this trend will probably only increase.

Victory night and swearing in speeches are always full of sweet words like unity, honesty and nation building. P.J. Patterson gave a moving election night address in 2002. Portia Simpson Miller had the audience in tears when she officially took over. Neither delivered a tenth of what they promised. So despite his dramatically improved oratorical skills, Mr. Golding's admittedly impressive talk has already been discounted in the public opinion market.

Bruce speaks a lot about political will. Well he better demonstrate some fast. He probably takes office with less political capital than any Prime Minister in our history, and he knows it. When Portia mania swept the nation last year, all you heard was generalities like 'unite the country' and 'create jobs' and 'cut crime'. Bruce's scorecard is ready-made and specific. Electors will be ticking every pledge in the JLP manifesto he fulfills, and crossing every one he does not.

Some say an 18-member Cabinet is too large. But 14 ministries is the same number as before, and the three ministers without portfolio show a 'the team we need to get the job done' pragmatism. Putting the productive but controversial James Robertson in the Office of the Prime Minister means his talents can be utilised without risk. GraceKennedy Financial Services CEO Don Wehby brings hands on private sector expertise to the Finance Ministry, and union boss Dwight Nelson assures the labour sector a strong voice. While Delroy Chuck gives Mr. Golding the 'Master of the House' speaker required to push through the promised raft of legislation and strengthen parliament with Opposition headed committees. Give me a man who puts facts on the ground ahead of talking shop theory every time.

It's instructive to compare this Cabinet to the one installed after the last general elections. The 2002 Cabinet looked like this : seven lawyers in P.J. Patterson, Robert Pickersgill, John Junor, Phillip Paulwell, Aloun Assamba, K.D. Knight, A.J. Nicholson; six academics and educators in Maxine Henry-Wilson, Peter Phillips, Horace Dalley, Paul Robertson, Omar Davies, Burchell Whiteman; one businessman in Dean Peart; one trade unionist in Danny Buchanan; one farmer in Roger Clarke; one career politician in Portia Simpson Miller.

Here is the 2007 Cabinet breakdown : nine businesspersons in Bruce Golding, Audley Shaw, Derrick Smith, Andrew Holness, Karl Samuda, Ed Bartlett, Mike Henry, Babsy Grange, Don Wehby, James Robertson; three trade unionists in Pearnel Charles, Ruddy Spencer, Dwight Nelson; two lawyers in Dorothy Lightbourne, Clive Mullings; "one academic in Dr. Christopher Tufton, who also has business interests.

The contrast is glaring. Mr. Patterson's was a legal and academic cabinet. Mr. Golding's is a business and trade union one covering a very broad spectrum. It has players from the small, medium and large sectors with experience ranging across the financial, food, gaming, farming, real estate, consulting, retail, publishing and entertainment industries. It must be one of the most entrepreneur-friendly Cabinets this country has known. Our private sector has complained often about government not understanding business. Well now there's no excuse on either side. Let's see if they can together produce the much promised 'jobs, jobs, jobs'.

If Bruce Golding acts as he has talked for the past 12 years, he could go down as one of our greatest elected leaders. If he does not, he will be booted from office in 5 years or less. In my view his success or failure will be determined by one question - is he a man of his word?