Jamaica’s new PM vows to tackle garrison politics

| 24/10/2011

(Jamaica Observer): Andrew Michael Holness was sworn in as Jamaica's ninth and youngest prime minister, yesterday and immediately placed at the top of his agenda the dismantling of political garrisons — a moving target for many politicians — and the country's ballooning debt. Immediately after taking stewardship of the Government, Holness wasted no time getting down to business as he told the hundreds in attendance at his swearing-in ceremony at King's House in St Andrew that he has now taken direction of the country.

Holness, who has disputed claims that his West Central St Andrew constituency is a garrison, said he intends to write to Simpson Miller, inviting her to discuss the issue of co-ordinating access to closed communities for representatives of differing political persuasion.

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  1. The Lone Haranguer says:

    Good luck Jamaica,

  2. anonymous says:

    Boy that sounds familiar. Mckeewa should take head and learn something here. And what came after the70's in Jam? Exactly what we risk happening here/

    • Anonymous says:

      You tink is only Mckeewa,Halden should tek head and lun sumting too!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Here are some interesting, and pertinent, exerts from Mr. Holness' speach.

     

    While I was not around when Jamaica took its independence, from all accounts it was a period of great excitement, great hopes and great expectation. Oh to have experienced the birth of a nation…a clean slate, endless horizons, greatness within sight and within grasp. It must have been a glorious time, an optimistic time a positive time. It was a time of political honour and mutual respect, where I am told, JLP and PNP supporters were welcomed at each other’s meetings and the only things thrown were words in good humour. 

     

     

    The struggles of the 1970s should have created a more equitable society. However, in those very struggles we lost the fundamental respect for law, order and public virtue, the basis on which more equitable societies are built. Without this healthy and universal respect for law, order andhigh public virtue, our institutions can be corrupted, and worse, corruption becomes acceptable. Where there is corruption there is inefficiency, there is injustice, inequity and inequality.

     

     

    The struggles of the 1970s should have given more power and rights to the people, but power and rights cannot be divorced from responsibility. Rights alone do not define sovereignty. Sovereignty requires responsibility. Responsibility embraces truth. Unfortunately a kind of social, economic and political irresponsibility has followed us throughout the decades. From men not taking responsibility for their children, to communities not taking responsibility for public spaces, to a lack of accountability in government.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you for posting this. I wonder if Cayman can find politicians that feel the same way and have the strength to act on those sentiments..