Senator Hill: PNP’s Call for Integrity is Hypocritical. Last Friday, Government Senator Aubyn Hill used most of his speech in the Upper House to attack the Opposition. Senator Aubyn Hill called the PNP’s demand for integrity from the government hypocrisy.
He said the PNP had many scandals marring their time in power over 23 years.
The Senator also scolded the Opposition for its poor choice in selecting Isat Buchanan as a candidate for the next parliamentary election.
During his State of the Nation presentation in the Upper House, Senator Aubyn Hill highlighted a series of alleged transgressions committed by members of the People’s National Party (PNP). He asked the Opposition to look in the mirror and argued that they lacked the moral authority to demand integrity from the Government.
“I have sat often in this chamber, and I listen to members from across the aisle make repeated calls for us on this side to practice an outstandingly high level of perceived integrity. Those calls are repeated ad nauseam and often are out of context with the topic on the order paper for discussion in this chamber. I hear the same noises from other places and various PNP platforms, with more mentions of required
Senator Aubyn Hill, via Jamaica Observer.
perceived integrity.
“Many boisterous calls are often accompanied by the shrill demands for some of us to step aside until their various and unsubstantiated allegations are investigated. This constant call, and sometimes the drum roll for the JLP (Jamaica Labor Party) to practice perceived integrity and even for some of us to step aside, force me to go back and look at the record of the PNP,” Senator said.
Hill said during the PNP’s extensive time in power, the party created a long and colorful record filled with scandals. And questionable integrity, and lack of accountability of officials. According to Hill, none of the members involved were asked to step aside.
Senator Aubyn Hill went on, and on, ranting about the PNP’s misdeeds when they were in control of the government. He goes as far back as the mid nineties rehashing long forgotten manufactured stories which the people never believed.
He said he highlighted the various scandals to remind those who demand integrity and accountability what they were.
In the end Senator Aubyn Hill said, based on the PNP’s checkered past, it does not have the moral authority to demand integrity from the Government.
Whether the PNP has moral authority or not, the Government is accountable to the people of Jamaica. The Opposition stands for the people. So, it have the right to demand accountability from the Government.
Furthermore, Mr. Hill, the Senator, should have used his time more wisely. He needed to communicate to the people how he and the JLP plan to improve their lives. Instead he engaged in blame game.
Dwelling on old grievances from over twenty years ago will not offer solutions, nor will it lower food prices or repair roads while listening to Senator Aubyn Hill.