Letter of the Day | Restore Vale Royal, restore trust

THE EDITOR, Madam:

When Prime Minister Andrew Holness used his swearing-in ceremony to invite Opposition Leader Mark Golding to “let us talk,” it appeared as a mature and statesmanlike gesture. However, the subsequent step – a letter asking Mr Golding to meet instead with Justice Minister Delroy Chuck – undermined that intent. In diplomacy, leaders either meet first to establish trust and guiding principles, or their deputies and technocrats meet to work out details. The prime minister’s approach reversed this sequence, risking a reduction of a national invitation to a procedural mistake and a missed chance for real, meaningful political dialogue in the country’s best interest.

Mr Golding’s decision to decline that meeting and suggest that the two leaders meet first was not an act of defiance but of respect for proper dialogue. His response reflects the very purpose of the once-valuable Vale Royal Talks – to provide a neutral space for Jamaica’s political leaders to meet, listen, and build consensus on national issues. Those talks were never about single policy disagreements; they were about cultivating mutual respect, understanding, and a habit of listening across the aisle.

Years ago, I wrote to the editor urging the resumption of those talks. That call remains even more relevant today. Jamaica’s democracy is strong in structure but delicate in spirit. We have diplomatic principles that must be honoured. The Catholic Church’s ongoing Synodal process offers a valuable lesson: walking together, listening carefully, and discerning collectively. Our political leaders could benefit from this approach – turning debate into dialogue and division into understanding.

The physical decay of the Vale Royal building serves as a powerful metaphor. Once a grand residence and a hub for political dialogue, it now stands neglected. Its state reflects the deteriorating trust between our two main parties. However, just as any building can be restored, so too can relationships – through humility, dialogue, courage, and care grounded in shared responsibility.

I urge Prime Minister Holness to undertake a dual restoration: restore the Vale Royal residence and revive the Vale Royal Talks. Doing both would send a message that his third term is about healing, not hostility – dialogue, not dominance. As Maya Angelou reminds us, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Let the Jamaican people once again feel that their leaders can meet not as rivals, but as stewards of a shared national home.

FR. DONALD CHAMBERS

frdon63@hotmail.com