New party (Jamaica Progressive Party - JPP) to field 58 candidates; releases ambitious manifesto
I do not know these people but I am going to assume that they are well meaning. Many well meaning, very qualified people exist in the PNP and the JLP and yet we get nowhere because they become overwhelmed with the corruption, tribalism, nepotism and dysfunction of our politics. If this party became even marginally successful, the same thing would happen to them. The second problem is that the uncommitted will have to be their target base. The problem is that the uncommitted voters in Jamaica have become understandably cynical of the political process so I think it will take more than these almighty promises to rouse them from their slumber or to divert them from wanting visas to lef di place. We need more politicians like we need a hole in our head. Jamaica does not need more politicians. What we need is more engagement by civil society, including the church in our politics similar to how the private sector and other organizations have forced both parties to reach a consensus on crime. I would have preferred if this movement had joined with other civic organizations to pressure the politicians to make the constitutional, legislative, economic, social and political changes needed.
Raymond D. Grant
Comments
Post a Comment