PNP spokespersons slam currency changes as ‘convenient’

The imminent change to Jamaica’s currency notes incorporating the images of all national heroes and deceased prime ministers has been criticised as “empty symbolism” by an opposition lawmaker.

Mikael Phillips, member of parliament for Manchester North Western, has argued that the adjustments may have been a political gesture.

Besides all national heroes being represented on notes, the only modern-day personality whose image will now be on dollar bills will be the late Edward Seaga, who died in 2019.

Seaga, a former prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, won one contested election, in 1980, and shares a history that is as controversial as his contemporary political rival, Michael Manley of the People’s National Party. Both men will appear together on the soon-to-be-issued $2,000 note.

Phillips said in a Gleaner interview that the change, announced by Finance and the Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke as he opened the Budget Debate on Tuesday, struck him as “a bit convenient”.

Clarke emphasised the need to honour the nation’s highest-ranking public servants and said that the change was also being undertaken for cost efficiency.

For political partisans who relish the ceremony surrounding the down payment of registration fees on nomination day, PNP aspirants will no longer be able to hand in notes exclusively with the image of former leader Michael Manley.

JLP contenders will be able to parade the new $5,000 with former Labourite prime ministers Hugh Shearer and Donald Sangster.

Phillips is also miffed that mention was made of the political turmoil of Michael Manley’s first term during the 1970s, but similar disclaimers were not made about the Edward Seaga administration of the 1980s.

Phillips, who is the opposition spokesman on transport, said that there was need for more fundamental change such as the fast-tracking of the removal of Queen Elizabeth II as Jamaica’s head of state. Though the role is largely ceremonial and nominal, it has for decades been a flash point of debate because of the island’s history of slavery and colonialism.

‘’We have also noticed the intent to change the colour of the notes to reflect a British look. The time has come to change the direction ... and stop pledging allegiance to the Queen, which is far more important than the faces on any notes,’’ Phillips said.

St Andrew South West Member of Parliament Dr Angela Brown Burke, who is the PNP’s chairman, believes that the changes have diluted the importance and contribution of former party presidents Michael Manley and Norman Manley, his father. The elder Manley was Jamaica’s only premier.

“Although as a group we have not made any announcement, I can say that it was observed as convenient that the JLP has a note that can represent it during nomination exercise if it so desires.

“We have none, and this talk about political tribalism is trite and hollow, but we will continue to represent the people to the best we can,” Brown Burke told The Gleaner.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com