Independent thinking is a human asset that is often suppressed. It opens avenues for mutual respect in relationships, organisations, sports, and other unions. Sometimes abhorred by political alliances to the extent where those who exercise it are regarded as traitors trying to divide their parties. Yet there are a few who are willing to go against the grid and exercise their God-given right, knowing they will be stigmatised by their colleagues.

It is not very often when eight politicians hold the balance of power to blow breath or sever life in a dying and stagnated birth of a teenager called the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), whose eldest presumptive foster parent may be refusing to accept ownership in any way of this multi-parented bastard child.

As fate would have it, eight of the smartest, brightest, dedicated outspoken politicians have been given the awesome power of adjudication. They will not blindly vote along party lines, which at times will put your brain in the state of impotence — this is neither healthy nor smart. It is time the Jamaican public be served dishes of good governance with openness, truth and honesty.

Who will be the beneficiaries of the CCJ?

Will the Jamaican people be the beneficiaries? Why would both political parties have such differing views on the issue? Considering, despite the polarising nature of our politics, the political support is about 50-50, despite the Jamaica Labour Party’s inability to win elections and the audacious thinking that Jamaica is People’s National Party (PNP) country — if ever there was a myth, that is one. What we need to do is examine the election results from 1944 -2011, margins of victory, voter turnout, leaders at helm of parties. Base your assessment on the aforementioned criteria, and see whether this is PNP country.

It is obvious that there is a fragment of the population who is hell-bent on fantasising in matching the strength of one party against another. Highlighting the possibility that the Jamaican public could be used as pawns in a political game of selfish proportions played by both parties to determine who is better at the art of deception.

That observation should tell some politicians that it is highly unlikely that the aforementioned opinion is coming from one insignificant singular brain; the odds of that are astronomically high. Creating a situation where the responsibility of deciding whether the country should join the CCJ be left to eight out of 84 members of the legislature may not be the in the eyes of the public a sign of political maturity, considering the votes so far are based on strict party lines.

My opinion, however, if the votes are cast strictly along party lines, the seed of suspicion would start to germinate, at which stage the Jamaican people should decide simultaneously with a general election by adding it to the ballot when that is called.

I have no doubt the senators will give arguments in favour of whatever decisions they make. Based on their collective resume they will put forward convincing arguments to justify their decisions, whether singularly or en bloc. An important aspect, however, is what percentage of the Jamaican population knows enough of the workings of the CCJ, apart from Shanique Myrie’s case, though that unfortunate incident has catapulted her into the political arena — not to say she did not set her sights on the political landscape before.

The CCJ has taken a deep political divide as the PNP voted en bloc in the lower house for the country’s participation and their counterparts voted unanimously against. There is some level of scepticism among the majority of Jamaicans.

What are the reasons presented by the PNP for the country to shed the last colonial cloak of our British past and join the CCJ? Are there any deep underlying reasons the JLP is so reluctant to join that august body of the Caribbean’s legal luminaries? Distrust of our other Caribbean brothers and sisters adjudicating on our behalf? Have they put their case before the Jamaican people why should there be a referendum?

I, like many other Jamaicans, am entitled to strong arguments for and against Jamaica’s involvement. It appears that both parties are playing political football with citizens’ right to justice void of political interference. One side has not been convincing enough to get the majority of Jamaicans on board, the other might be a prisoner of history following the anti-Federation sentiment — the irony being that the majority of the super 8 were not even born, yet they will be given the choice of stay or go.

I will express my personal opinion that they make the right decision and vote not along party lines but the dictates of their conscience and will apprise the Jamaican people of the reasons, unlike their counterparts in the lower house.

A glimpse at the super 8

Kamina Johnson-Smith: The spokesperson on education and youth displays excellent approach to the subjects within her portfolio. One of the bright shining lights in the JLP, she shows true grit and character, displaying commendable passion for women and children’s affairs. Is best suited in this arm of the legislature.

Marlene Malahoo-Forte: Senator since 2011 and served as state minister of foreign affairs from 2009-2011. Served as resident magistrate with that credential she produced and presented her show offering free legal advice. Outspoken, frank, never mixed her pro-party mantle during her shows. Knowledgeable and seems to have a strong love affair with the truth. Hopefully representational politics will not cause her to abandon that noble characteristic.

Christopher Tufton: Brilliant mind; a politician in the top drawer of dignity, honesty, well-informed with a stigma of respect attached to his behaviour. Successful minister in Golding’s Government. Seems to be victim of conspiracy within the ranks of his party, a bystander would have reason to believe efforts to keep him out of parliamentary representation is at work. Has a promise of a ministerial post in a JLP Administration. His political stars will shine brightly in a matter of time.

Bobby Montague: Affable, likeable person who is a shining example of a good-natured politician, one of the 13 JLP MPs to lose his seat in the wrongly called 2011 election. His frankness makes him an asset in his party. His recent utterances have shown maturity and his political path is plotted in the right direction, provided he will not allow himself to be bamboozled within his own party.

Tom Tavares-Finson: Has the distinction of being appointed senator by three JLP prime ministers: Seaga, Golding, Holness. He has shown more allegiance to his party leaders than a lioness shows to her newborn cub. Rests among the ranks of top legal luminaries that have ever graced the halls of justice in this country.

Alexander Williams: Attorney, spokesman on justice and judicial systems reform. Son of a former politician, visited the battlefield of representational politics in 2011; lost. Based on his visibility in his portfolio in the upper house should enhance his political maturity.

Arthur Williams: Devoted politician with strong legal background, showed strength, grit, and determination when wrongly dismissed from Senate. Doing a good job in the Senate.

Kavan Gayle: President of BITU, who has made his mark in the field of negotiations. His presence in the Senate is an asset; another bright spark for the JLP.

After the debate which starts on October 16, the aforementioned senators will put on display their pride, dignity, devotion, strength, weaknesses, patriotism, whether their decision will move us forward or plunge us further into the pit of political polarisation. Will fear of political fallout leave their brains at home, follow party lines or vote their conscience in the people’s interest? One thing is sure: the Jamaican people are tired of politics as usual. The JLP’s future looks much brighter than the present, with a perfect mix in the upper house.

You, the Super 8, have a glorious opportunity to send a clear message, that the people must come before party. Whichever way you vote it could determine your political fate, as one of you could be the prime minister and the rest ministers of Government in the not too distant future. But your political destiny is irrelevant, compared with the fate of three million people.