Well it seems it is Christopher Tufton who may need to grow up and take his own advice as headlined in today's Observer. Often seen as the more statesman like politician in the JLP (lawd they sure do need it) although Holness's public persona has improved Tufton has survived the letter-gate scandal and such as he was given the boot from two attempting member of parliament races; but on gay marriage he failed miserably although days ago his actions in the senate regarding the CCJ bill was seen as an elegant rebuff to the majority PNP seats and the 1 opposition member vote they needed to pass the bills evaporated in front their and our eyes.
In an article on US policy Tufton in the Gleaner yesterday he argued:
.................Same-sex marriages
A more recent controversy among a significant cross-section of Jamaican society is America’s policy towards same-sex couples and same sex marriage. The Obama administration has hailed the ruling of the highest court in that country in support of same-sex marriage as a positive turning point for that country and seems to be anxious to make the promotion of this new phenomenon a part of US foreign policy. Already the churches here in Jamaica have signalled their intentions to strongly oppose any move such as this within our Jamaican parliament. I suspect that the churches will have majority support in the wider populace, which would clearly demonstrate a point of disagreement between both democracies.
With all this said, a harmonious Jamaica-US relationship is critical for Jamaica’s growth and development. Strengthening those ties requires ongoing dialogue between the two countries, respect and an appreciation of each country’s sovereignty and perspective. Jamaica is clearly the smaller and more vulnerable of the two countries, which means we may need to make more effort in making our case to benefit from this relationship. We should not kid ourselves that this is a case of two equals.
At the same time, an economically depressed or destabilised Jamaica or Caribbean region, in the backyard of the US, cannot be good for that country. In one sense we are joined at the hip, and need each other for the stability of the region. We should work to understand the issues that affect us both and make the effort to strengthen the quality of our working relationship, and also our friendship.
- Dr Christopher Tufton is a former government minister and co-executive director of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute, a University of the West Indies, Mona, policy think tank and a recently reinstated senator. Email: cctufton@gmail.com
ENDS
Ironically the captioned Observer headline page the story entitled: Tufton urges political maturity to counter voter apathy, it read in part:
"Political parties have not been willing to identify areas of common national interests and accept, where necessary, that they are willing to build on those gains that have been made as a country, irrespective of if they were not the individuals or the party that was responsible for those gains," Tufton said.
"If we did, it would give Jamaicans a sense that it's not just about partisan politics, but about what's in the best interest of the country," he added.
Tufton was addressing a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) divisional conference in St Andrew West Rural and framed his comments against the backdrop of general disinterest in politics by Jamaicans which, he said, will be evident in the next general election.
Constitutionally, the life of the current Government expires in December 2016, however the Portia Simpson Miller-led Administration has signalled that it intends to call the general election earlier, resulting in both the ruling People's National Party and the JLP engaging in frenzied campaign activities across the island over the past few weeks.
Speculation is rife that the Government intends to seek a fresh mandate next month, but under the Westminster system, only the prime minister can name the date for elections. Since the October 1980 General Election, when the voter turnout was almost 87 per cent, Jamaicans have steadily been going to the polls in fewer numbers. For instance, in the December 2011 election, the voter turnout was 53 per cent, which was said to be the lowest in the country's history. Yesterday, in his address, Tufton said this must be cause for concern "to all of us who may offer ourselves for elected political office, and we must ask the question why".
According to Tufton, there were several factors contributing to Jamaicans becoming increasingly turned off from politics.
First is that "voters are feeling that politicians have not helped to improve the quality of their lives in their communities, as promises made and not kept over many years have placed the believability and trustworthiness of politicians at a all-time low".
The second factor, he said, was disunity and divisiveness among or between political colleagues and political parties, which "have reinforced perceptions among the public that if we can't work together as a team, there is reason to be cynical as to whether we can work for the best interests of Jamaicans".
The third factor was the unwillingness of political parties to identify areas of common national interest and build on those gains regardless of which party was responsible for them.
He urged Labourites to work hard to overcome those challenges, but pointed out that the third point requires political maturity that, "if demonstrated, would see more Jamaicans, particularly [the] middle class, engaging the political process at all levels, to the benefit of those politicians and political party that demonstrate that political maturity".
Added Tufton: "As a party we must focus on ideas rather than personalities and distinguish ourselves as better managers of the economy, but also as the party that is willing to embrace national gains from wherever its origins."
He said the JLP's history of "great policy ideas", and track record of implementation when in office, distinguished it from the alternative. "And so I urge Labourites to put our focus and energies there in order to encourage greater engagement from the uncommitted voting population," he said.
ENDS
But at the rate his JLP colleagues are going with the CCJ Bill debate and the exploiting of homophobia on two major fronts this time around where his party leader says he will do a referendum on buggery (obviously pandering to the religious right) and then the 'Fish' comment by Mr Holness in recent days can Tufton expect that if LGBT voters really decide to vote on issues mainly the decriminalization of buggery that his party will win? Or is his appeal is just for the uncommitted excluding said issues for the minority group?
I was expecting better analysis on the subject of LGBT rights from him than just some fear of it as implied in US policy by the Obama administration. His opinion also seems to confirm what some religious right voices are complaining of that the US is imposing its will with regards to homosexuality thus siding with ignoramuses as an import of some kind.
Where are the sensible minds in the senate such as the former Attorney General, Foreign Affairs and Justice Minster Oswald Harding of the very JLP who in 2004 said: Keep Law Out of Gays’ Bedrooms (FLASHBACK) or Harding warns against discrimination based on language, sexual orientation (Observer 2011) is this the reason why we do not see him anymore around politically? He the longest serving senator in the nation's history. He was born in Kingston. Harding was the first person to serve as President of the Senate of Jamaica for two non-consecutive tenures, serving from 1980 to 1984 and from 2007 to 2011. First appointed to the Senate in 1977, he served in the body continuously until 2002, and rejoined the Senate from 2007 until his retirement from politics in 2011. His first period as a senator was the longest continuous tenure in the body's history.
then yesterday:
Veteran politician Pearnel Charles has reignited the gay debate telling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters in St Ann that a four-year-old promise by then Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller was purely aimed at getting support.
In the lead up to the 2011 general election, Simpson Miller had commanded riveting attention from members of the lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community when she promised that as Prime Minister she would facilitate in Parliament a conscience vote on the controversial issue of the buggery law.
But with the current political cycle coming to an end, that is yet to happen.
READ: Gay, but not happy: J-FLAG disappointed with PM's unfulfilled promise
Speaking in Alexandria, St Ann Sunday night, Charles, the Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon, stressed that the JLP will not countenance men marrying men.
"This will never happen here, not as long as I am alive," declared Charles to huge cheers adding that he would enlist the church to help him in "the fight".
He was supported by former MP for South West St Ann, Ernest Smith, who declared that the People's National Party must not be allowed to turn Jamaica into Sodom and Gomorrah territory.
Where are the sensible minds in the senate such as the former Attorney General, Foreign Affairs and Justice Minster Oswald Harding of the very JLP who in 2004 said: Keep Law Out of Gays’ Bedrooms (FLASHBACK) or Harding warns against discrimination based on language, sexual orientation (Observer 2011) is this the reason why we do not see him anymore around politically? He the longest serving senator in the nation's history. He was born in Kingston. Harding was the first person to serve as President of the Senate of Jamaica for two non-consecutive tenures, serving from 1980 to 1984 and from 2007 to 2011. First appointed to the Senate in 1977, he served in the body continuously until 2002, and rejoined the Senate from 2007 until his retirement from politics in 2011. His first period as a senator was the longest continuous tenure in the body's history.
then yesterday:
"This will never happen here, not as long as I am alive," declared Charles to huge cheers adding that he would enlist the church to help him in "the fight".
Veteran politician Pearnel Charles has reignited the gay debate telling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters in St Ann that a four-year-old promise by then Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller was purely aimed at getting support.
In the lead up to the 2011 general election, Simpson Miller had commanded riveting attention from members of the lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community when she promised that as Prime Minister she would facilitate in Parliament a conscience vote on the controversial issue of the buggery law.
But with the current political cycle coming to an end, that is yet to happen.
READ: Gay, but not happy: J-FLAG disappointed with PM's unfulfilled promise
Speaking in Alexandria, St Ann Sunday night, Charles, the Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon, stressed that the JLP will not countenance men marrying men.
"This will never happen here, not as long as I am alive," declared Charles to huge cheers adding that he would enlist the church to help him in "the fight".
He was supported by former MP for South West St Ann, Ernest Smith, who declared that the People's National Party must not be allowed to turn Jamaica into Sodom and Gomorrah territory.
The JLP has used this strategy before in the 2011 campaign as well, remember this one?: go to about 3:30 or so to hear Clive Mullings
also see:
MP, Attorney, Ernest Smith sings different buggery tune 2009 and Ernie Smith's trope in this four year old video report:
Homophobic Violence Ernie Smith & Venom 2009 from sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica
Would Lawyer MP Ernest Smith Represent Gays? 2009
Promoting homosexuality? No, its about freedom of choice, privacy & tolerance 2009
"Keep it to Yuself mentality" on homosexuality part 3 .... stay in our bedrooms? 2012
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