We have in our series of editorials since the December 29, 2011 general elections endeavoured to set the kind of tone we believe that the nation needs at this time.

This is in keeping with the growing maturity and sophistication that we have detected in the Jamaican electorate, as evidenced by the civility, for the most part, of the election campaign, the unbridled joyfulness displayed on Nomination Day and generally by supporters of the two major political parties and probably the most incident-free and peaceful elections in recent memory.

The manner in which Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, Mr Andrew Holness conceded defeat and in which supporters of the JLP took that defeat, and the absence of whole communities being uprooted by supporters of the victorious party on election night, are incontrovertible signs, surely, that the Jamaican people are growing up. The seamlessness of the change from one government to another is certain signal that it may have taken us just about 50 years but we are finally beginning to craft our nationhood.

It is in this context that we look forward to today’s swearing in of the nation’s tenth prime minister, the Most Hon Mrs Portia Simpson Miller and the Government she will form subsequently.

Although the speechwriters will have a hand in drafting the coronation address, it is in a sense fortunate that we are not as a country looking to Mrs Simpson Miller to take us on the wings of oratory with fine words that have no meaning to a nation that is seeking to renew hope in our Independence and all its promises of peace, prosperity, justice and brotherhood.

What today’s address will require of Mrs Simpson Miller is a clarity of thought and a vision of the future around which Jamaicans who love this beautiful country can coalesce. It is her solemn duty to set a tone of national unity and make us believe again that it is possible to walk forward together, despite our differences of party support, gender, religion, sex, financial and social status.

We have 50 years of example to learn from on how to build or not to build a nation. In the first half century of Independence, we were, symbolically, learning to creep and to walk. Mistakes were expected and they were many, the most heinous of which, we believe, was the deep political polarisation of our people That in turn bred the most pernicious of our national sins, political violence.

As we approach the second half century, we have a glorious opportunity to declare ‘never again’ to go down that path. Let us forgive the atrocities of our past and construct our own version of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission by abandoning the blame game for a fresh start. This is the time to begin to frame the Jamaica that we all yearn for but which has eluded us all.

The great thing about Jamaica is that for every mistake we made there are two or three things that we did right. There is much that is good and worthwhile and honest in our people. Mrs Simpson Miller is challenged to show faith in our people and to leave as her legacy a more prosperous nation.

Times are tough and could get tougher before it gets better. Yet, we have always known that hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth.