The Ascendancy of Lisa Hanna
The last time my pen visited the subject of Lisa Hanna was when Dr. Dayton Campbell launched his broadside against her.
On that occasion, I opined that the time would come when she would find herself with a path to the Presidency of the People’s National Party (PNP). I believe that moment has come. The JLP’s recent stunning defeat of the PNP has set in motion a series of events many of us thought were at least three years away: the transition in leadership of the party. Not only did the loss herald the impending transition, it also displaced the heir apparent, Dr. Peter Phillips. In doing so it now allows the likes of Lisa Hanna, Phillip Paulwell and Peter Bunting to stake their claim to leadership.
To be sure, this doesn’t promise to be an easy ride. They will have to contend with the reality that though the party may have left Simpson Miller, she hasn’t left it. That is, she may prove difficult to displace. Delegates conceivably remain loyal to “Mama P”. But let us assume this is a perfect world, and let us assume Simpson Miller accepts the inevitable, who would replace her? Who would take on the awesome task of renewing the People’s National Party? My bets are on Lisa Hanna.
I’ve noted many have said it is unlikely that the boys’ club in the PNP will allow another woman to assume the reins of power in the party. It’s true that Phillip Paulwell, Peter Bunting and perhaps even Mark Golding may harbour Prime Ministerial ambitions. Of the three, I believe only two have a real shot: Paulwell and Bunting. However, both candidates start with handicaps of varying severity. Paulwell clearly has the most to answer for. He’s been plagued by missteps at nearly every turn in his Ministerial career, something the JLP would make much fodder of in a General Election. Beyond that, Paulwell’s close association with Simpson Miller, something previously seen as a strength, could now actually be a liability. So while he remains a serious contender, his path to the top is troubled. Then there’s Peter Bunting. He comes with the financial pedigree to be able to mount a campaign for the top job, but unless he has a serious shot of charisma and appeal, I’m afraid Bunting will go the way of Jeb Bush – awash with cash, but no momentum. That leaves Lisa Hanna.
I admit that it is tempting to overlook the beauty queen turned politician. After all, she didn’t command a major portfolio in Cabinet, and she hasn’t been at the wicket for as long as her would be challengers. It’s tempting to overlook her, but I believe it would be a mistake to do so. Firstly, Ms. Hanna has already shown herself possessed of uncanny political instincts. If you blinked, you might have missed it. Ms. Hanna has already launched a silent campaign for the top job, right in front of our eyes. She has the political balls to show her hand at a time when many in the PNP are watching and waiting. She is brave enough to say “I want it”. Courage is half the battle. Her last few Instagram posts contain veiled messages which convey steely resolve to achieve #RenewalNow. She has openly made known that she possesses the “courage to do things differently”. And in a masterstroke of political strategy, Hanna took to Facebook to give a detailed assessment of the impact of the JLP’s sweetheart tax plan. The message was clear. This was not an ordinary MP mouthing off on social media. No. This was a woman intent on showing her command of the heavy policy questions of the day. While I disagree with her assessment, it must be acknowledged that this is a woman who intends to be Prime Minister of Jamaica.
But can she do it?
Lisa Hanna is now entering her third term in the House of Representatives. By Westminster parliamentary standards, she has sat in the House long enough to be Prime Minister. She has the experience of sitting in Cabinet, albeit not with a senior portfolio. As a purely political matter, she has proven her mettle beyond doubt. She has the stomach for a fight. Recall this is the same Lisa Hanna who faced open revolt from three of her councilors. With fixity of purpose and dogged determination, she faced down the challenge, by all indications standing alone. After all, the PNP’s embattled General Secretary seemed slow to quell the discord that threatened to rip South East St. Ann apart. That was left to Hanna alone. Could it be that there were forces in the Secretariat hoping the challenge would succeed? And if the answer is yes, could they have seen her as one to beat before this moment came? Whatever the case, Hanna did what her predecessor, Aloun Assamba, could not do, she outmaneuvered her political opponents. This must not be overlooked, particularly because the challenge came from within. It’s hard to face those on the other side, but even harder to face those in your own camp.
Hanna remains the chairman of the PNP’s Region 1, a region which not only has a considerable number of delegates, but recorded a strong showing in the 2011 General Elections. That must rebound to her benefit. Of course, she will have to answer for the region’s failures in the just concluded campaign, but I do not believe that disqualifies her, particularly in a campaign where there was a considerable national swing against the PNP. Even if we envision a world where Hanna ultimately decides against seeking the top job, any serious contender would have to court her as the chairman of a region so rich in delegates. She could effectively become King maker, a fact that confirms the strength of her ascendancy in the party.
The now former Cabinet Minister has also amassed significant goodwill among the Jamaican people. Opinion polls constantly show her in good standing. Can she translate this goodwill polling into a showing of political support? We must wait to see. Miss Hanna should also be acutely aware that she has a perception problem to overcome – the handicap of the Miss World crown. She must deal with that decisively. I described the much sought after crown as a handicap because unfortunately our people believe a beauty queen is bereft of brains, which could conceivably affect her prospects for Jamaica House. Hanna has started the process with that Facebook post on the economy. It cannot stop there if she’s serious about Jamaica House. She must also mind the tendency to be seen as profiling on social media – her detractors will continue to raise it against her. She should carefully use the parliamentary platform to her advantage; she must decidedly confront and repel the abhorrent stereotype once and for all. I have also found Ms. Hanna hesitant to take on the national political platform. She was noticeably absent from the microphone at the major PNP gatherings during the campaign. Could this represent doubt in her abilities to rile up the party base? Or was she deliberately silenced to dampen her prospects? I find it curious, for example, that Dr. Dayton Campbell was given the platform in Half Way Tree, but Hanna, the regional chair wasn’t. Readers, make no mistake, the battle is on. For Hanna, the battle couldn’t have come at a better time. She finds herself at the intersection of fate and sheer luck, her next move is crucial.
Finally, this is all conceived in a perfect world, but as you all know, we do not live in a perfect world. Mrs. Simpson Miller may decide she will not demit office. That would leave Hanna, Paulwell and Bunting with the awesome decision of whether to challenge or not to challenge. The calculation would be delicate, and the political risks enormous. Does Lisa Hanna’s courage extend that far? That is to be seen.
And after all that, can this three term MP, beauty queen turned politician face the revived, confident and self assured Prime Minister Andrew Holness in a General Election and win? Your guess is as good as mine. Whatever happens, we are in for a political treat. #MoreAnon
Contributed by Ricardo Brooks
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