The political victimization of Phillip Jackson?
One such case, as the nation and the wider world will remember, is the systematic persecution and destruction, some say lynching, of Bigger Bigs and the fact that his multimillion dollar business still lies in ruins; and also how his children continue to crave for a tertiary education, but are denied that opportunity because their father dared to support a political party that does not have the acronym ULP. In the case of Bigger Bigs, the leaders of ULP administration continue to deny that he was and continues to be politically victimized. However, the court of public opinion has, no doubt, already reached its own verdict on that one.
Whilst this piece is about Phillip Jackson and not Bigger Bigs, the pattern is ever so clear and the wrong done to Bigger Bigs is so egregious that whenever political victimization is mentioned in SVG and perhaps elsewhere, his name cannot escape mention.
Phillip Jackson is a gifted son of the soil from Marriaqua. He is blessed with a brilliant mind and excellent communication and analytical skills. This can be easily seen and appreciated in his numerous writings and conference publications and presentations that can be found online. Most of you who know him will agree that speaking with Phillip on any topic is a real treat. He is the last of 12 children for his parents, Alfred and Jermine Jackson. He was raised with strong Christian traditions and sound family values. His parents, and particularly his dad (of blessed memory), have been pillars of the community in which Phillip was raised and still resides. Phillip obtained his early education in Marriaqua, before moving on to the Boys Grammar School for the culmination of his secondary education (having begun at the Mountain View Adventist Academy). During his time at the Grammar School, he won multiple awards at science fairs and went on to represent St Vincent at the regional level. Incidentally, he later taught at both schools and was at one time the head of the science department at the Grammar School.
From information on his public LinkedIn and FaceÂbook profiles, Phillip obtained a BSc Honours degree in Biological Sciences from Universidad de Oriente in Cuba, and he later obtained a MSc in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of ManchesÂter in the UK. Phillip also holds a Certificate in IP and Technology CommercializaÂtion from the University of California in Davis.
Following his tenure as head of the science department at the Grammar School, Phillip became the science and technology coordinator in the government service and he currently functions in that role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, ComÂmerce and Information Technology.
With his wealth of experience and educational qualifications, Phillip applied for, and obtained, a scholarship to pursue a PhD in Economic Development Policy at the University of the West Indies (UWI). The scholarship is a UWI-12+1 Scholarship and one is available to applicants from each of the countries of Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Island, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Phillip was the one from SVG who received the award. One of the bases on which the scholarship was awarded is that the area of study is deemed to be a “priority research areaâ by oneâs home country. It, therefore, means that having been awarded this scholarship, Phillipâs home country, SVG, deemed the area of study (Economic Development Policy) to be a “priority research areaâ for SVG. In addition, in order to be awarded the scholarship, the home country must provide UWI with a “letter of endorsement,â stating that the applicant is eligible for acceptance. The award to Phillip, therefore, means also that the relevant authorities in SVG endorsed him for the scholarship. According to a letter of award that was posted online months ago, Phillip was given two of UWIâs leading economists as supervisor and co-supervisor. Both men are directors of two of UWIâs leading research institutes in Cave Hill, Barbados. This is a most singular honour.
Having secured the scholarship, Phillip was due to commence his doctoral study in January 2016. He followed the correct procedure and applied for study leave and without being given any reason, study leave was denied to him. So what went wrong for leave to be denied when the relevant authorities had previously endorsed him for the area of study? Why is Phillip not at UWI pursuing his PhD in the “priority research areaâ of Economic Development Policy as approved by SVG? And why is he denied study leave without any reason? Is it because he dared to support a political party that does not have the acronym ULP? Was the endorsement made with the underlying condition that he supports the ULP and so not having supported them, he is being punished in the harshest of ways?
It is worth knowing that leading up to the last general elections on 9th December 2015, Phillip openly supported the New Democratic Party (NDP) and its candidate in his constituency of Marriaqua. Did that support, in any way, influence the decision to deny him study leave to enable him to move to the next level which, according to UWI, will equip him with “skills and knowledge to drive change and contribute to national developmentâ â which no doubt will be of immense benefit to SVG? Is Phillip, therefore, being politically victimized or will we hear the usual excuse and denial?
Incidentally, and as an aside, both Phillip Jackson and Bigger Bigs are from the constituency of Marriaqua. Is this a mere coincidence or is there more? Is it because the ULP administration does not respect their own representatives (both former and current) for that area and so continues to castrate their men of intellect and influence, or is it that the representatives themselves acquiesce with their party?
Judge for yourself!
Brereton Horne
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