Dear Editor,

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, having emerged from the pavilion and re-entered the playing field, it was inevitable that the partisan long knives would quickly be drawn.

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And yet, in the cut and thrust of political campaigning, there can hardly be any quarrel that, as a messenger, his previous time at the wicket would be open to meaningful scrutiny and appropriate criticism, just as in the case of any other Administration.

Concerning his message, however, there are two issues, among others. First, is there a factual basis for his disapproval of the present state of affairs in Jamaica? Certainly, no criticism of him and his tenure can be any answer whatsoever to observations about the kind of governance that is being provided today.

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Second, no fair examination of his earlier time at the wicket would fail to recognise the enormity of his contribution to nation-building, particularly in the reduction of political partisanship and the building of a first-class electoral system.

Significantly, in light of today’s tragic, deep-seated societal decay, is it not a matter of profound regret that the proposal born of his far-seeing lens in what the late Ian Boyne described as “his prescient and insightful” Values and Attitudes launch, now 31 years on since 1994, was quickly beaten back and incomprehensibly not allowed even to get off the ground?

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And then, as messenger, it is unquestioned that PJ Patterson’s exemplary leadership as head of government of his country is justifiably acknowledged and respected within the region and globally.

Compared to some of his fiercest critics in recent days, does he not remain the kind of public figure who thoughtful parents right across Jamaica would be moved to eagerly and confidently induce their young children ‘to strive to grow up to be like’?

AJ Nicholson

Former Attorney General