Where is the Transparency – Part 2

By David Mullings
Transparency International recently presented the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2009 and it was widely reported in the Jamaican media that Jamaica had declined.

Since The Golding Administration has come to power, the CPI for Jamaica has been the following:

2008 – Score = 3.1, Rank = 96
2009 – Score = 3.0, Rank = 99

That is not good if you have promised to combat corruption and run a transparent government. Naturally, PNP loyalists will point to this as proof that promises were made that have not been kept.

But take a look at the PNP’s record: Both PJ Patterson and Portia Simpson-Miller promised transparency. How did their promises stack up?

2002 - Score = 4.0, Rank = 45
2003 - Score = 3.8, Rank = 57
2004 - Score = 3.3, Rank = 74
2005 - Score = 3.6, Rank = 64
2006 - Score = 3.7, Rank = 61
2007 – Score = 3.3, Rank = 86

The pattern is quite clear under the PNP and that pattern has continued under the JLP.

Is this proof that politicians are the same no matter what the colour of the party?