Before 2017, transparency and accountability were daily political campaign slogans. The Opposition demanded to know everything. Almost every government decision became a scandal. “Scandal this, Sandals that” dominated the political conversation, accompanied by relentless demands for ministers to resign.

And when those demands were not met, the verbal attacks on the Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller were relentless. Her leadership, her decisions and even her travels became political ammunition. She was labelled the “Flying PM,” as though travelling internationally to seek investment, partnerships and opportunities for Jamaica was some kind of personal indulgence.

Today, however, Jamaicans are witnessing something remarkable.

Some of the very individuals who once demanded transparency and accountability at every turn now appear to view scrutiny from the Opposition as interference and an obstacle to progress.

How quickly political memories can fade.

Mr. Prime Minister, the standards you once demanded from your predecessor cannot suddenly become unreasonable simply because you are now sitting in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Transparency cannot be a weapon when you are in Opposition and an inconvenience when you are in Government. Accountability must apply regardless of which political party occupies Gordon House.

If you once used transparency and accountability as a weapon of mass political destruction against the previous administration, you cannot reasonably complain when the same principles are applied to your government.

And perhaps that is the uncomfortable truth: those who know the power of a weapon often fear when it is turned in their direction.

Let us also remember the history.

You condemned Portia Simpson-Miller for travelling, but many of the international relationships and partnerships she cultivated were not for herself. They were about Jamaica. Her international engagement helped restore confidence in the country and strengthen relationships with international partners at a time when Jamaica desperately needed them.

The Jamaica inherited by the Simpson-Miller administration did not emerge from nowhere. The country had endured years of economic and political difficulties, and the events surrounding the West Kingston incursion severely damaged Jamaica’s international image. Jamaica was described by some observers at the time as a pariah state.

It was the leadership of Portia Simpson-Miller and her administration that worked to repair Jamaica’s international standing, rebuild relationships with international partners and move the country toward the IMF programme and the difficult reforms necessary to stabilise the economy.

That is part of her legacy.

So when history is being rewritten for political convenience, Jamaicans have every right to remind those in power of where we came from.

Mr. Prime Minister, speak honestly.