Senators wish Johnson Smith well in Commonwealth SG bid
Published:Saturday | June 4, 2022 | 12:09 AM
Led by President of the Senate Tom Tavares-Finson, members on both sides of the political divide on Friday expressed best wishes to Leader of Government Business and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith in her bid for the post of Commonwealth secretary general.
Johnson Smith is expected to face off with the incumbent, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for the post at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, later this month.
While some senators were cautious in their pronouncements about the pending race, others spoke confidently of Johnson Smith taking the reins at the Commonwealth Secretariat, when the votes of the 54-member group are tallied.
“The tongue of good report has already been heard in various quarters locally and internationally concerning the dedication, drive and work ethic of our own, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith,” Tavares-Finson declared on the motion of adjournment.
He said that the minister’s dedication to service was well known, noting that this drive was inspired by the commitment of her late father, Ambassador Anthony Johnson, to Jamaica.
“We take nothing for granted, but today, I place on record my support and best wishes to you, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith,” said Tavares-Finson.
Senator Natalie Campbell-Rodriques reminded her colleagues that a win for the Senate leader was not a done deal.
“The ballots aren’t counted yet, and, as politicians, we know you don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” she said.
However, Campbell-Rodriques later threw caution to the wind when she said: “While your victory will mean a loss to the Senate, it will be a gain for the wider Commonwealth.”
“Jamaica has promoted the idea that our people can be the best of the best anywhere, not just on our own shores. We are little, but we tallawah,” Campbell-Rodriques added.
Leader of Opposition Business Peter Bunting conceded that, for the relatively short time he has been in the Senate, he and Johnson Smith “had a few bumpy moments”, but noted that, in recent times, things had proceeded in a more cordial manner.
The humour was not lost on members of the Senate when Bunting said that his colleague, Lambert Brown, who was not present, would have wanted to “personally add his sentiments on this occasion”.
Johnson Smith and Brown had episodes when they locked horns in the Senate, which eventually led to the former seemingly walking out of the chamber whenever the latter rose to speak. However, relations appeared to have mended in recent times.
“Good luck and Godspeed!” said Bunting.
Senator Sherine Golding Campbell hailed Johnson Smith as a “person who is inclusive and allows views to contend”.
She added: “I know that the occasion coming down the road is more likely than not to end in a favourable result, and I wish you all the best.”
Senators Kavan Gayle and Floyd Morris also expressed best wishes to Johnson Smith.
Responding to the comments, the foreign affairs and foreign trade minister said she was deeply encouraged by the support she has received through public and private endorsements by countries around the Commonwealth.
“I have been running a positive campaign, a dignified campaign, and I have been very dedicated and committed to keeping it that way,” she said.
Johnson Smith mentioned at least “one or two persons” who sought to “distract with unfortunate incidents that they try to take globally and to expand on, and so mischaracterise what I think my colleagues here have sought to capture”.