Leaders; do what is right and necessary for the Jamaican people

BY DEVON THOMPSON

Jamaicans shouldn’t have to escape Jamaica for a better life, we are seeking a new set of leaders that will create what I coined, the Great Jamaican return, where flights upon flights of Jamaicans from all over the globe are filled with Jamaicans bringing their wealth, knowledge and families back home to their country.

Last week, I wrote about some of the political turmoil that is occurring in Jamaica. As a former Vice President of the UIC, I have some advice and recommendations.

Firstly, to the Jamaican voters, no single man or woman will save you or save our country. The only person who can do that is you. Politicians serve on your behalf and it’s time you start seeing them as employees and not as heroes or gods. Do not look at Joseph L. Patterson, Roman Baber, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Pierre Poilivire, or Justin Trudeau as your saviours; look at them as your employees. Vote, run and disconnect are what I advise citizens of any country to do; always use your vote. Take part in the political process as a candidate if you can, and do your utmost best to reduce your reliance on government and its services. REMEMBER, you are your hero.

Secondly, this is for the UIC’s past and present members and executives. This article was not written to form an opinion on Joseph L. Patterson, my former political mentor; it was to awaken the spirit of my readers, to let them know that Jamaica can be saved, with or without Joseph L. Patterson. All it needs is a population willing to stand up firmly against the corruption in the country, a population willing to vote, run and disconnect.

Mr. Patterson has resigned as the UIC’s President on multiple occasions, but do not be dismayed if he resigns for a third, fourth or fifth time. Do not lose hope if the UIC chooses to replace him as the President, because I am personally aware of many Jamaicans (inside and outside of the UIC) who are strong, educated, diligent and trustworthy enough to take the political fight to Andrew Holness and Mark Golding.

The UIC remains Jamaica’s best chance at a flourishing future. I am pleading with the President, and all existing members, to do what is right and necessary for the Jamaican people. This means revamping the UIC’s constitution to separate the post of President from the Leader of the Party, therefore guaranteeing separation of powers so that the President will never become the Prime Minister of Jamaica. The leader who is chosen by the UIC’s Membership on a yearly interval will therefore be the one to become Prime Minister.

There should be no qualms about a leader being replaced if he/she is not the best fit to lead the country. Canadians have so far booted the leader of the Federal Conservatives and the leader of the current Albertan Government, because they have lost faith in them. Booting their leaders does not shake the core of the party, because a President is always there to maintain the smooth operation of the organization.

Thirdly, to the current President of the UIC; I believe you are a good man; that you believe that every single step you take is the right choice and that Jamaica would be better off for it. However, you are a leader to some and not a leader to all. What this means, is that you are not capable of leading 63 strong, independent souls into a general election, because you think that they should show loyalty and appreciation to you every step of the way.

“Strong independent minds opposed you as party President and if these strong independent minds remain within your party, they will do the same to you as Prime Minister should you lead them to an election win and act in a manner that is not within the best interest of Jamaica. But you can’t have that, so rather than having MP or Councilor candidates who may dissent, you would rather be a leader of candidates who would kneel to and obey the commands of King Patterson.

We cannot allow such a group to be elected to Government; I, therefore, urge you to re-invite all dissenting members of the UIC back into the organization whom you’ve wrongly accused of engaging in a coup attempt. Knowing that Jamaicans will be present in the UIC leaders’ cabinet or caucus who will dissent should leadership steps out of line (again), will bring peace of mind to Jamaican voters.”