Dangerous precedent if Porteous appointment is rescinded

Friday, January 27, 2012

Dear Editor,

Some JPs in Manchester are opposing the appointment of Miss Sally Porteous as custos for the parish. As far as I can gather, their reasons are either that hers is a political appointment (to which they object) and/or that the position should be given to Mr Calvin Lyn, as the majority of JPs support him, as indicated by the president of the Manchester Lay Magistrates Association. According to him, "There is and will be unease among JPs in the parish if Mr Lyn is not appointed".

The prime minister is the only one who can recommend the appointment of a custos. In that sense, all appointments to the position are "political". But this is the first appointment, certainly in the last 30 years, that I can remember where a JLP prime minister recommends someone who has held political office on behalf of the JLP, as Miss Porteous served as a JLP councillor.

On the contrary, PNP prime ministers have often recommended people who have held office on behalf of the PNP.

Take Royland Barrett, former custos of Trelawny. According to PNP chairman, Robert Pickersgill, "Prior to becoming custos of Trelawny, Royland served as a councillor for the Falmouth division for many years and was a stalwart for the party in the parish of Trelawny."

Take James Thompson, former custos of Westmoreland. He started as councillor for the Glenislay division in 1947 and served for 14 years. Then he served as member of parliament for North East Westmoreland between 1972 and 1980.

Then take Owen Sinclair, present custos of Westmoreland. He was a PNP Member of Parliament from 1972 to 1976.

There have been other appointments by PNP prime ministers, though not of people who have held political office, but of people who have been for many years "a stalwart for the party in the parish".

The problem with the objecting Manchester JPs is that this "political" appointment is not of one of their tribe. Mr Calvin Lyn is himself a former PNP member of parliament for North East Manchester and would clearly fit the mould.

I trust that the appointment of Miss Porteous will be completed. It would be a dangerous precedent to set, that if a group of JPs protest, an appointment can be rescinded.

Andrew Miller

millerandrew32@gmail.com

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Dangerous precedent if Porteous appointment is rescinded