LETTER OF THE DAY - Learn from Robinson's actions
Published:Monday | February 21, 2011 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Somewhere in his testimony over two days before the ongoing Dudus-Manatt commission of enquiry, Dr Ronald Robinson, whose testimony exposed critical deficiencies in our system of governance, proffered the enlightened view that he felt duty-bound under the Westminster system of government to resign from his ministerial post in the Golding administration amid what has been described as a "web of deceit".
Politically, his resignation was on principle of conscience and not being able to live with the discoveries, decisions taken at the executive level of government, the extremely unsettling conditions in the country at the time, and the adverse local and international consequences emanating from the imbroglio of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.
In my view, Dr Robinson's stance refreshingly demonstrates the triumph of principle over ego and the insatiable thirst for power; and I am more than a bit surprised that both the electronic and print media have paid his revelation scant regard. Lest we forget, the principles of ministerial responsibility and Cabinet collective responsibility in our fledgling democracy are based on the sound foundation of transparency. They are not designed to rob, in any way, the multifaceted decisions taken by political leaders in Government of candour.
These steadfast principles require those political leaders, who are unable to accept these decisions, to resign as a matter of duty. Historically, our political leaders are not distinguished for upholding this convention of Westminster politics, which gives rise to the belief that remaining in political office under such circumstances is to compromise oneself and the political system in general.
Significant move
Students of politics and public administration (management) should readily appreciate the significance of Dr Robinson's resignation because it underlines forcibly how honesty and integrity - personal and collective - are mandatory to the civilised functioning of the two-party Westminster system and the exercise of power.
In our experience, the voluntary resignation of a member of Government in circumstances where his or her party holds monopoly power by the parliamentary executive (think Heather Robinson), and where the all-powerful prime minister and his or her Cabinet have the parliamentary advantage to push through legislation in the Parliament, teaches that political leadership under the Westminster system of government is always held in trust on behalf of the Jamaican people, and not as the personal fiefdom of any particular individual.
Ronald Robinson may well have lost his crown, as opposed to his head, in the shark-infested waters of politics, but history may yet be kind to him for his small contribution in helping to forge for us all a habitable future.
I am, etc,
EVERTON PRYCE