Now that the political pissing match is over, the Jamaican people deserve answers.

Who is ultimately responsible for the demolition? Who authorised the action, and under whose instructions was it carried out? More importantly, why were the males reportedly taken away ahead of such an action? These are serious questions that cannot be buried beneath political arguments, finger-pointing and attempts to shift responsibility.

There is also a deafening silence surrounding who organised and executed the Coopers Pen operation. How could such a large-scale operation take place using state resources, including members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, without the responsible leadership being aware of what was happening, particularly given what has been reported?

If the operation was properly authorised, then the public deserves to know who authorised it, who coordinated it and who was ultimately accountable. If it was not authorised at the appropriate level, then that raises an even more troubling question: which private company or individuals have the power to mobilise state resources and execute such an operation?

If private interests can somehow command or influence state resources without proper government oversight, then as a country and as a people, we should be very afraid.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force is a state institution. Its resources are not the personal property of politicians, private companies or individuals. They exist to serve and protect the Jamaican people and must operate within the law and under legitimate authority.

When you occupy a leadership position, continually going back to what your predecessors did or did not do is weak leadership. The past may provide context, but it cannot become an excuse for the present government to escape accountability.

The voters gave the respective political party a mandate. During the campaign, they were convinced that their party had the better ideas, the better leadership and the better solutions for Jamaica. Once elected, that mandate comes with a responsibility to lead, to govern and, most importantly, to protect and represent the people.

Government cannot campaign on promises of compassion, accountability and putting people first, only to become distant from those same people once the votes have been counted.

The blame game is becoming childish. It demonstrates a leadership in crisis, seemingly bankrupt of ideas and solutions, while ordinary people are left to suffer the consequences.

People do not care which administration failed yesterday. They want to know who is responsible today.

Where is the compassion that politicians displayed when they needed the votes? Where are the listening ears that were so readily available during the campaign? Where is the humanity when people’s homes, possessions, security and dignity are at stake?

Leadership is not about winning an election and then finding someone else to blame. Leadership is about accepting responsibility, confronting difficult circumstances and finding humane solutions.

If mistakes were made, say so. If laws were broken, investigate. If decisions were made, identify who made them. If people were wrongfully treated, provide answers and remedies.

And if state resources were used, the Jamaican people have every right to know who authorised their use and for what purpose. Jamaica deserves better than political theatre.

The people who voted for government did not give anyone a mandate to abandon compassion. They gave a mandate to govern.

And governing means accepting responsibility — not only when things go right, but especially when things go terribly wrong.

The people deserve answers. Not another blame game.

Denton Smith can be contacted at : [email protected]