Moderator’s Commentary: One can only produce that which one possess, or have the ability to produce. In the instant case, the JLP is hard-pressed to produce a viable Economic Plan. That is so simply because they have not been able to attract the kind of professionals with the requisite expertise. The influential people in the private sector who knows that Aubyn Hill (the Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Partys (JLP) Economic Advisory Council) is an empty-suit, already know not to expect anything substantive from him, or from any group he leads. Perhaps that explains why the private sector stopped financing the JLP. The private sector funding has so dried up that the JLP could not even afford a full Annual Conference this year, nor able to pay their rent for the National Arena (without an extension of time to pay). Essentially, it appears the JLP is flat broke. Since it appears we do not have an Opposition Party worth the time of day, is our democracy in trouble??? What say you, my fellow Jamaicans??? ====================== EDITORIAL - Waiting For The JLPs Economic Policy JAMAICA GLEANER Published: Monday | November 24, 2014 EDITORIAL Waiting For The JLPs Economic Policy It is nearly three years since the Simpson Miller administrations return to office and, therefore, just about two years before a general election is constitutionally due. It is also a year since Andrew Holness defeated Audley Shaws challenge for the leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party and the leadership of the parliamentary opposition. Its half a year since Mr Holness established a task force, headed by banker Aubyn Hill, to advise his party on economic policy and strategy. No issue in Jamaica is subject to so much and such intense debate as the state of the islands economy, especially in the context of the reforms being implemented under the governments agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and whether the administration will sustain the fiscal discipline required by the programme, given the imminence of an election. In the circumstance, we are surprised by the failure of the Opposition, particularly its leader, Mr Holness, and Mr Shaw, the shadow finance minister, to seriously reference Mr Hills work and to outline a strategy for the management of the economy should the JLP return to office. It, astonishingly, didnt happen a week ago at the JLPs annual conference at which Mr Shaw belittled the governments management of the economy, ridiculed its meeting of IMFs tough performance targets and branded Richard Byles a mouthpiece of the governing Peoples National Party, for reporting, in his capacity as a chairman of the public/private-sector oversight committee, on these economic outcomes. On the face of it, Mr Shaw, under who, as finance minister, a previous IMF programme collapsed, seemingly doesnt like this one. At the same time, Mr Holness highlighted his difference with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, as a man who is willing to tell Jamaicans the truth and pay the political consequences, if necessary; like in the last election, when, having had a short stint as PM, he warned of bitter medicine to come if the JLP retained the government. It remains unclear whether under the JLP Jamaica would retain the tight fiscal policy and the debt-reduction strategy demanded by the Fund, and if Mr Holness and Mr Shaw agree on the way forward and are in sync on Mr Hills recommendations, whatever those are. Source: jamaica-gleaner/gleaner/20141124/cleisure/cleisure1.html#.VHMfmYt5rVs.facebook
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:55:01 +0000
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