Which party is best for Jamaica?

Franklin JOHNSTON

Friday, December 09, 2011

The PNP is the natural party of the Jamaican people. The first and only party to adumbrate a mantra for the disadvantaged and social institutions to give it effect. This was attractive to the grandchildren of slaves who prized their freedoms. Norman Manley was driven. A soldier, athlete, Rhodes scholar, he knew political dogma - the strait-jacket of communism and capitalism. He chose the middle ground which social democratic parties in Germany, UK, Italy, Greece, Scandinavian nations used to build world-class industry and great welfare systems. Bustamante was not of this ilk. He went to primary school, was a rolling stone - Cuba, Panama, America - policeman, hospital orderly, investor; changed his name on a whim and returned home in his 50s with some money. He was an activist; joined a union, founded his own and used his talent to help workers with success. He founded the JLP on "sibling rivalry" - a contest with his "educated cousin". The JLP still reacts to the PNP. We say to kids, "See Mr Manley, his life, study, law career, service in politics... copy him!" You can't tell kids to copy Bustamante's life! The JLP's capitalist mantra lies between his "we are with the West" and Seaga's "haves and have-nots". The JLP is mainly a spiritual vacuum, but the ascendancy of Adventist ethic in leadership in the last four years may change this. The benign union of church and state and the clique of Adventist fundamentalist right-wingers in Cabinet is ominous. More anon!

The PNP is also the omni-directional creative, cultural and sporting home of the nation. The vision of Norman Manley - world-class sportsman, lawyer, art connoisseur and bon vivant - is breathtaking. An inspiration to Jamaicans here and abroad. Bustamante's life was rambling and we have anecdotes often which he supplied, not facts. But the drama of what we know is compelling. He loved his cousin, shared successes. Manley outfoxed the British. They trusted, respected him; he fought with them in war, studied with them at Oxford, held forth in their courts, they knew his commitment and performance and he knew them!

The PNP is the spiritual home of the nation. Drumblair was the hub of artistic expression; the energy of our creative class. Liberal jargon as freedom, economic independence, decolonisation, equality, class struggle, environment, self-reliance, Nkrumah, Lumumba, Africa are the legacy of PNP semanticists. The UWI was said to be PNP just by being a place of intellect. The spirit of craft, cottage industry, domestic work; gender equality, child equality, shade equality were nurtured by conscious people, many not PNP but classed as such. The JLP went the other way. Bustamante was educated, but he used a folksy illiteracy which attracted poor people yet they retreated as it devalued education. Some recidivism is still evident at meetings where there is a striving of educated JLP people to appear less so and diss education to curry favour with poor people - a paradox of politics! The PNP also got "street cred"; many "buttos" had free rein and principles suffered. Mr Seaga nurtured Kapo but the JLP never bought into his artistic genius. The JLP as a capitalist party has never been of artistic or spiritual trenchancy.

The PNP is the spiritual home of the media. Its leaders marched and demonstrated when media workers were disadvantaged and fired; meanwhile the JLP were banning speakers, books, writings and UWI lecturers. I smuggled books, was interminably searched by customs and had my books confiscated. Every journalist over 50 - not media owners - is a virtual PNP sleeper because of its track record on their behalf. Early PNP leaders sacrificed; politics was not their best job; their families suffered. After the PM's job they did public service - spoke globally and served the Commonwealth. They lived in their pre-politics houses and died with less than when they started politics. Their children's legacy was a good education, not money or a business. Ex-JLP top brass expressed their capitalism in finance; new houses, business to capitalise on their years in politics. No global speakers emerged. People rightly worry about JLP corruption as they expect it, but they wrongly ignore PNP corruption because they think them high-minded - both are wrong. If the PNP mantra also resonated with other ethnic groups, they came on contract, indenture, fleeing persecution and it was PNP social openness, not JLP restrictive capitalism, that attracted them. So where is this going?

The big question

Why is the PNP not more successful at the polls? Given this love affair, how come they won only eight elections to the JLP's seven since 1944? What are we missing? What is the PNP doing wrong or the JLP doing right?

The answer?

The JLP is filler when people want to punish the PNP and sometimes it delivers the goods! First, despite his work, Norman did not lead us to Independence. Was the referendum principle or naivety? No matter; he did not get the nod. Second, Michael's self-reliance which makes Cuba the region's innovator in health industries, education and housing, even with two hands tied by a USA blockade, did not get the nod. Third, Finsac is a metaphor for woes. The USA used debt resolution with dozens of failed banks and building societies. Here, true to its mantra, the PNP rescued hundreds of thousands of small savers. The few thousand investors and bankers had to face the nightmare of all entrepreneurs who use poor people's savings to build themselves - grief! Finally, the PNP has not explained how in 18 years of unbroken power when the world was prospering we could not even catch up with Barbados. So has the PNP squandered our generosity? Is the JLP stability just the usual calm after an IMF loan boosts our cash flows? More to come. Stay conscious, my friend!

Coat of arms or jacket?

Last week arriving passengers were told by NMIA Immigration their completed forms were illegal. The reason? The coat of arms was wrong? The crab louse was upside down or such? Who printed them? It did seem more jacket than coat! The explanations were confusing. Tired tourists and locals were not amused.

Dr Franklin Johnston is an international project manager with Teape-Johnston Consultants currently on assignment in the UK.

franklinjohnstontoo@gmail.com

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COMMENTS (31)

carlos king
12/9/2011

Dear Mr. Johnston. For you information, the fundamental doctrines of Adventism are Reformative and/or PROGRESSIVE. Certainly NOT RIGHT-WING CONSERVATISM. It is almost an abomination to use the words ADVENTIST AND CONSERVATIVE/ RIGHT-WING in the same line. I believe you ought to apologize to practicing Adventist Christians for this egregious error of fact, in your next article. And practicing Adventist are not impressed by some of the wolfs in Parliament parading in the sheepskin of Adventism.

Kish Tzu
12/9/2011

You have some good contextual knowledge of our history and could use it to educate. However you've chosen to write a missive laced with speculations, allegations and nonesense. This article sounds like a dub poem - and not a properly articulated and well thought out position I expect from a PhD. In future please take more time to develop your article and not rush them to meet the deadline (that's how this feels)
GRADE: F

blog dis
12/9/2011

@Antonette W.
LOL Teach the doctor plz-Good, Better Best ! and yes I agree with your conclusion
P.S if you were really a fuddy duddy you would be blindly loyal and holding on to a romantic idealised notion of an intellectual elitist party whose visionaries are dead and most recent leaders have squandered the peoples goodwill

Dave Peart
12/9/2011

This man is clearly campaigning for the PNP. As someone born after 1980 I would love an explanation of the magnetism of the PNP. Just a cursory look at the history of the PNP shows disastrous performance on CRIME and the ECONOMY in the 1970's and the 18 year regime of 1989-2007.(don't believe me, check STATIN). The PNP subsidiaries such as UWI, JTA, THE CHURCHES, THE MEDIA and other civic organizations need to explain to Jamaica why the PNP is so great. What statistics are they looking at ?

Jair GM
12/9/2011

Franklin I have asked you repeatedly not to be so subtle because our fellow Jamaicans don't have a feel for it. Now they are going to accuse you & every media personality over 50 of being PNP, that Bustamante was a dunce, that he should not be admired, etc. Remember the majority of them are two year olds; speak slowly and clearly with little words that are direct and cannot be confused. If poosible use bullet points or numbers to enumerate your headline points.

jenn longmore
12/9/2011

Mr Johnston I will say that your article tickled me pink ! . I'm glad these are opinions and most of all, only your opinions !

Cee Dubya
12/9/2011

Dr. Johnston, you know those articles where you talk about some practical ways to help develop Jamaica? Could we go back to those? Because...yeah...let's do that.

diehardr sickheads
12/9/2011

The two parties compete to win so winning comes before country or popularity over principle.Jlp started the garison phenomina pnp expanded it.

James Bond
12/9/2011

It is a fact/truth the JLp has always refereed to students attending UWI as communist. B G, Busta remarked "he was mixing with the UWI communists"
With regards to education , the JLP campaigned "saltfish better than education"
As soon as Seaga JLP came to gov they put a stop to free education and health care, in the process destroyed Dr Lecky's legacy. The only time I voted JLP it was in support of Tony Golding the realist and roots-man.
The PNP is a party of intellectuals & visionaries

Meat Head
12/9/2011

As others have said, this article is indeed mostly nonsense. One of the reasons the PNP isn't more successful is the more intelligent of us remember that party's disastrous economic policies (e.e., democratic socialism) and the lasting damage they have done to the economy. If you need to wonder why we are poor, just remember PNP government.

Tom Stroke
12/9/2011

what a load of ...., calm down Tom Stroke, calm down. Just go and vomit like nervous investor.

Jaye Stone
12/9/2011

I am still in a state of shock that a newspaper columnist wrote this article. It should have been in quotation marks. But Johnston feels he's writing for dummies who will just take his pronouncements as gospel truth. Shame on you, sir, (and I'd like to add, a pox on your house!) for taking advantage of the ignorant. I somehow figured you to be above that.

John Christian
12/9/2011

@ hugh Maxwell...have u done any writing recently...this is a synopsis of the political parties in limited paragraphs....reconsider your assesment of this being unnecessary...Franklyn knows what he is talking about..

Ethlene Mohan
12/9/2011

Mr. Johnston made his point in the first sentence the rest could be discarded. He excluded context and objectivity. Maybe he should look at Andrew and Portia's resume. It is time to educate and not to divide and distract. The article would be more useful if he had used fact not opinion to determine which party is more corrupt and under which party the county is more prosperous. Education is excellent, a Rhodes Scholar real honor. Mr. Johnston, was Norman Manley PM of Jamaica?

Sonny Black
12/9/2011

The readers who are cursing this Colomnist should ask a simple question, is he lying or speaking the truth. Growing up as child in montego Bay in the late 60s Jamaicans were only allowed in the Hotels as cleaners and workers, they couldnt drink at the Bars or sleep in the rooms. It was Michael manly who put a stop to those blatant acts of discrimination. Busta was a thug and the reason why the children of most poor Jamaicans are something today is due to the vision of Norman Manly and the PNP.

samuel harper
12/9/2011

i do appreciate the fact that Dr. Johnson has not only revealed his political bias, but has determined (i guess with good reason) the political bias of all media practioners over the age of 50. it now explains to those previously unaware the current fuss being made by the media about the PM's criticism of bias media coverage. i now know in the 35th year of my life and education that my dear national hero "Busta" is not worthy of emulation.
any body ever heard of any "intelectual ghetto" = UWI

PL BOGLE
12/9/2011

There’s a misconception about the role of gov’t in Jamaica. Jamaicans are suffering from gov’t dependency syndrome, and this is made worse by the anti-social behavior of the private and the public sector. This has created the perfect storm for economic disaster. And for almost 50 years, Jamaicans are waiting for a political solution to its economic problems, without fully participating in the recovery efforts.

Antonette W.
12/9/2011

I may be an old fuddy-duddy, but as a child, my primary school teachers taught me the following:
Positive: GOOD, Comparative BETTER, Superlative: BEST. Since we are discussing two parties, (comparative) the headline should have read; "Which party is better for Jamaica." Now, may I be so forward as to propose an answer to the question? My answer is: Neither party is good for Jamaica.

Peter Lawrence
12/9/2011

cont'd. On the other hand father's side supported Busta. Old Uncle was friend of Busta& Gladys , visited him at Irish Town. Knew when he worked at the JOINT DISEASES Hospital in Brooklyn, as orderly/dietician. Father knew Holness' folks; sold Insurance to one , a grocery shop owner. That was OLD JAMAICA, I was told. Not much vitriol > Biggest problem was during political meeting a rude boy or two throwing stone from the periphery. Still very dangerous though. Lose/win election?have drinks.

Hugh Maxwell
12/9/2011

This article is unnecessary. It serves no purpose. It is incredibly untimely in a political climate ( or perhaps timely for some). But you want to tell me that this person could not find something else more worthwhile to write. Geezas man.

Peter Lawrence
12/9/2011

Busta did his thing for the people at the bottom of the societal heap , which Norman had no stomach for and did not understand too well.Both were neccessary but the aspiring middle clas naturally went for the man emphasising education. This led to the emergence of the black professional class of today, which has served Jamaica well. Similarly, but more slowly, the "cane piece massive" are also rising. My Mom did not like busta due to (she said) bad words on our street,opening pot an taking food

Kweli Simba
12/9/2011

Is this guy for real?? What a load of personal clap trap. Nevertheless, I am glad the observer allowed it to print because it demonstrates why Ja has stayed in the situation we are in. This divisive piece of blow hard gimmickry is how we divide the country. It is a nice piece of PNP campaign propaganda...its only missing the JEEP. Stay conscious, my friend.

Anthony Williams
12/9/2011

Seymour Waite I couldn't have said it better. Additionally if the JLP is a filler party how is it they won the first 2 elections after universal adult suffrage and the first 2 electiond after independence. Clearly Mr. Johnston has his own political agenda. This is not commentary, it is campaigning.

David Armstrong
12/9/2011

This is a dumb question because on their respective record both parties are dismal failures. When political parties fail to govern it is time to find alternate methods to govern. Someone of your calibre should be advocating this instead of propping up a deal political system and its incompetent leaders. What JA need is political system that resemples that of a board of directors for a large corporation.

Alrick Benjamin
12/9/2011

WTH .... You should change your title from consultant blah blah blah..to PNP ACTIVIST...I have never seen such one sided article regarding both political parties in my 19 years on this earth...this is utter rubish !!
Wake up and stop living in the past !! The PNP with a leader like Portia is going no where ...and you will deal!

Born Yah Jamaica
12/9/2011

It is for this reason why we are in a perpetual state of flux and stagnation as we regurgitate the same old time myths year after year. The blind feeding the blind the same sour soup, and the later expecting more sour soup in the future. Johnson must be part of the conspiracy aimed at keeping us in purgatory indefinitely. Mi sick to me stomach. The quicker a NEW generation of Jamaicans tek ova the better. Johnson and the OLD divide and rule generation has FAILED my beloved Jamaica.

Born Yah Jamaica
12/9/2011

Words mean nothing if not followed up by action and results. Success IS what success DOES. I am insulted by Johnson’s belief that people are gullible and have not evolved into more sophisticated thinkers. A lot, dear I say most, might not be, but Jamaica’s only way forward is for a new political dispensation. We need to adopt modern thinking and solutions while we totally divorce ourselves from the slave mentalities of the past. At least Hitler can claim to be the father of German success today

nervous investor
12/9/2011

Have mercy. Having read this article I am ready to vomit.

Born Yah Jamaica
12/9/2011

Welcome to 2012. Most of the diatribes here are symptomatic of the self induce illusion of grandiose idea that is common in Jamaica and yes, most African political movements. The perpetuated idea that messages, personalities (gods) and the other PR claims are accomplishments by themselves and success is therefore automatic because of branding. BS! There is still the more fundamental task of translating objectives into reality and sustainable achievement of mission. Words are nothing.

Seymour Waite
12/9/2011

This is the usual revisionist propaganda spouted by the intellectually dishonest...half-truths romanticized.

Orville Brown
12/9/2011

So Franklin, you have stopped being an impartial commentator and become a PNP activist? Why are you trashing the JLP and gilding the PNP? I wish the Observer would allow me to answer you. In fact I shall sumit a counter column. It was the JLP which really reached out to the "cane piece rats" and " Dutty Labourites" while the PNP emphasised nationhood and self-government. The people thought human dignity was more important in 1944 and they voted JLP 27, PNP 5 ,in a House of 32 seats. More to com

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Which party is best for Jamaica?