No other topic in recent memory seems to have gripped the attention of the population more than the imbroglio involving the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Government. The opinion pages of all the daily and weekly newspapers have for the past three weeks been dominated by views, opinions, facts and indeed fiction about the differences between the PSC and the Prime Minister, which have resulted in the removal from office of the members of the commission.

This on the claim that the members 'misbehaved' and as such should not continue to hold such offices.

One of the arguments advanced by those who attempt to be advocates on behalf of the Prime Minister is that he as head of the executive needs to be able to have a group of persons as the PSC with whom he can harmoniously coexist. The group, led by the Hon. Daisy Coke and supported by at least three other 'OJs', having been appointed during the tenure of the previous administration, they argue, does not hold that possibility. As public officers, we in the Jamaica Civil Service Associa-tion (JCSA) like the 'disharmony' that some dislike.

Insulation

The PSC for the public servants of not only Jamaica or the Caribbean, but the Commonwealth, provides that well-needed insulation from partisan political interference or intervention in the appointment and discipline of public officers. It is our final bastion of hope in ensuring impartiality and independence in these matters.

In any event, I do not believe the suggestion that the Prime Minister would have been unhappy with the group prior to his disagreement with the recommendation for the appointment of the Solicitor General. In fact, PM Golding met with the PSC on September 26, in a kind of courtesy call. At this meeting, he told the commission that they were not the ones that he wished to see at that time but rather the Police Service Commission.

Somebody inadvertently arranged for the Public Service Commission rather than the Police Services Commission to see the Prime Minister. My information is that the meeting was a cordial one, at the end of which the commissioners were discharged to continue their work.

If Golding wished to have the resignations of the PSC, thus allowing for new appointments to be made, wouldn't he have so signalled on September 26? I think he would.

It is clear that the disagreement over the appointment of the Solicitor General, which came after, is the basis for his request to have the commission dissolved. It is, therefore, disingenuous of those who try to link the PM's actions to the notion that with a change of political administration should come en bloc resignation from bodies like the PSC.

I remain hopeful that in his own quiet time and reflection outside of the glare of his self-appointed advisers, Golding will find it necessary and possible to acknowledge the danger in the unfortunate way the matter has evolved.

I am, etc.,

WAYNE St. A. Jones, OD

jacisera@cwjamaica.com

President, Jamaica Civil

Service Association