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Editorial
PNP outmanoeuvred, perhaps for the first time, by JLP
Thursday, October 13, 2011
THE Opposition People's National Party (PNP), perhaps for the first time in recent political history, has been comprehensively outmanoeuvred by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Unusually, the PNP has found itself fighting to devise a position which can gain credibilty and hence traction among the populace, against the emergence of Mr Andrew Holness who now seems certain to be prime minister of Jamaica by the end of next week.
In fact were it not for the uncertainty over the stalled review of our Stand-by Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the party would have been blown completely out of the water by the political events of the past two weeks.
It is now obvious that the PNP was writing a one-tracked script that saw an election campaign with Mr Bruce Golding at the centre, and easy pickings at that after the 'Dudus' debacle. The epilogue to that bit of drama saw Mr Golding as leading the JLP to a devastating loss.
But whether by a master stroke of political genius or just sheer chance, the announcement by Mr Golding of his impending resignation tore up that script and completely rewrote it. Having severely injured PNP hopes, the JLP has rubbed salt in the wound by doing the unthinkable — coalescing around a single figure, Mr Holness, and thus preventing the usual down and dirty 'war' for the leadership.
Sensing that the PNP has been taken entirely off guard, the Labour Party has moved to further cement the initiative. Prime Minister Golding has signalled he will step down even earlier than previously planned to allow Mr Holness to take the reins of power and, presumably, call elections while the country appears to be in a mood to try a post-Independence leader.
The business of the IMF might not be enough to provide the PNP the message it now desperately needs to stop its free fall in the public opinion polls. Jamaicans have a view of the IMF as prescribing bitter medicine and the resistance of the JLP administration against swallowing that bitter pill could work in the ruling party's favour.
Moreover, it is widely know that the PNP is not in love wioth the Washington-based fund and is merely using it as opportunistic beating stick, for purposes of embarrassing the Government. In any event, the visit by the prime minister and his heir-apparent to Washington, suggests they are moving swiftly to fix that chink in their armour.
The excitement and wild speculation generated by the developments have put the country in election mode, with nearly all the pundits predicting that a general election will be called by the end of December this year.
Whether the new prime minister had planned to go to the polls this year or not, he will now have to give serious consideration to doing so. It is highly unproductive and dangerous for the economy to have the country remain in this intensely speculative mode for any considerable period of time. Mr Holness might well have no choice but to name the date as soon as he is sworn in.
For its part, the PNP will be hoping that its bus tour which starts today will provide some stimulus on which it can pin hopes of a response to the JLP tide before the proverbial river comes down 'from bank
to bank'.
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10/16/2011
Have mercy lord,all of a sudden Labourites believe in polls once again.@James St.John,don't take it too hard because your comment was not posted,in our Jamaican term a suh a suh run.
10/15/2011
Where is the apology for this blunder? We are still waiting....you'll did not approve my last comment, but we know that is all in the game of the "gutter politics", and where will it put us? Deeper in the gutter. Thanks again for not approving my comments, and others too. Oh, you will close off comments for this article soon. The sooner the better for you. To whom it may concern.
10/14/2011
Most analysts have misread and underestimated the level of discontent since 2007. The move by Golding have restored some lost JLP support but it has not convinced neutral suffers- unemployed, vendors , hustlers, shopkeepers etc to change their positions. Also Holness needs more charisma to rally the people in a short campaign. The JLP 4 years have been filled will real blunders-bad roads nurses teachers high prices arrogance, Dudus and impending extraditions. A JLP loss looks imminent. lets see
10/14/2011
Why this hype about new and different and young vs old? Remember people AH has been there all along and backed his leader 100% in all his mis-deeds and bungling, so how come he is being put forward as a "new kid on the block"? For well thinking Jamaicans he is the "same ol' same old politician, only younger than the rest, has he repented and come clean?? What is happening here? Are we so partisan that we cannot see ...the truth will set us free...think on these things my people.
10/14/2011
Observer outmanoeuvred by Vaz
10/13/2011
I swear the Observer is the New York Post of Jamaica. It always support the ambition of the wealthy. Holness is just another "brown man" who will care less about the poor.
10/13/2011
Eagle Eyes. "the other daily" should sue you for your lies. I follow both newspapers and the comments and I see a fair balance between apparent JLP sympathisers and apparent PNP sympathisers in 'the other daily' as much as I see it here - all things considered. Thing about "the other daily" is that it is accused by both sides of being biased to the other. Is that a good thing?
10/13/2011
Clovis, today's cartoon is another "shatter". I wish Jamaica's situation did not have to be so serious. For, you had me laughing. If you keep this up, the government police will soon charge me with disturbing the peace.
10/13/2011
This is a very disgusting partisan approach the Observer has taken, the editorial exposed the partisanship into which this newspaper has slumped.
10/13/2011
Observer, let me commend you for publishing some of these comments I am reading here. I have no doubt you have a party you would have prefer Govern the country. Those of you who are broadsiding the Observer for printing the stats as they see it; TRY DOING THAT IN THE OTHER DAILY. Bias? Showing political allegiances to the PNP is not a supposition there. It is as clear as day, BUT, Do they have the right to do this?. Thanks Observer for giving us both sides of the GARRISONS. Take your pick.
10/13/2011
This is not an editorial; it is gutter politics. If the JLP should retain government the Observer should insist on a radio/Tv license so they can better spread their propaganda.
As it is too few Jamaicans read and so many of them will never see this editorial, which is a pity really for the JLP and the Observer.
Don't these people have any shame?
10/13/2011
Editorials normally reflect the Opinions of a senior member of the editorial staff. Nothing is wrong with this. However, when an editorial like this one reflects opinions that are not based on facts but rather on speculations it can't be a good editrorial. Also, your editorial hints at your bias against the PNP as reflected in your headline. Not that the PNP doesn't deserve critical comments but those comments must be based on their performance not on your political orientation.
10/13/2011
The “Orange Blood” Die-hards are not going to like this one; however I believe that they can be trained to be objective and patriotic. They will lie and twist the truth to tear down JA, what a bunch of people. Come on this is not about capture land or political favors this is for JA. The world economy is taking a hit; even develop country are cutting jobs and laying off to balance the books. You can’t tell this to a person who sees the world through Orange lenses. Sad!!
10/13/2011
Is this editorial intended to placate Vaz? To reassure him that the Observer is still in the JLP's corner? it could have been written by any of the pro-JLP columnists -Wignall, Chaplin, Nembhard etc. I twice had to check that I wasn't reading Wignall.
How is it obvious that the PNP had a one-track election plan, Mr Editor? If you have inside info that reveals such, make it available to your readers so it can be obvious to us too.
10/13/2011
Editor, two days ago you announced the advent of the "silly season". You decried the actions of campaigns and tribalists. Why today you join in this silliness and present yourself as JLP cheerleader is beyond me. Do you not see where you are adding fuel to the fire?
Where has the JLP "outmanoeuvered" the PNP? You show concern for PNP credibility as if in one fell swoop the JLP has regained their's.
No, Holness MUST NOT name the date. He MUST first deliver.
Editor, the JLP has much work to do.
10/13/2011
For 4 years the PNP sat and critsize the govt but they offer no solution the the country's problems. They had 18 years and while the rest of the world was growing Ja was in decline. I am not sure Mr Holeness is the savior but I see nothing different from the PNP. A change in leadership is needed by the PNP, Ja dont think PSM is a good leader. We tried BG and PSM it did not work now we will try AH, I dont know how good he will be but he cant be any worse the PSM, nobody is.
10/13/2011
And the Observer couldnt be happier, I remember Bruce causing the same exuberance for the paper. Again "the messiah cometh, the messiah cometh!!"
10/13/2011
LOL... Observer has shown its hand. If the PNP was awaiting an endorsement from this editorial page it would be trailing in the polls. The problem for the Observer is that its too obvious. The best propaganda is subtle. You guys have the subtlety of an elephant on a thimble.
10/13/2011
Mr. Editorial, You are spot on, the PNP has been out foxed by the JLP and simply put they dnt have an answer.
10/13/2011
This sounds like it was written by Mr. Vaz or someone out of Belmont Road.
This is a new low for the Observer, and frankly, based on some of their presentations I did not know they could have sunken farther.
The last paragraph is especially distasteful.
Are they trying to make up for their indictment article earlier?
If the Observer bias were not known this piece would have been priceless and couldn't have been paid for by the JLP or the govt.
As it is now, with their known bias it is worthless
10/13/2011
The observer nailed this one and I know many will jump to say " see observer a d jlp mouth piece" but the certainly have gotten this one spot on.
When did the PNP become so interested in working with the IMF, in fact they were so opposed to the IMF that the one with the dunce hat would borrow at 3 -4 times the interest rate that the fund would lend rather than borrowing from the fund.
The JLP does not want to swallow the bitter pill and thus is holding out but PNP wants us to take the pill
10/13/2011
Dear Mr. Editor, Sir. After the reported "unfortunate", some would say, fortuitous juxtaposing of stories of departure and extradition in yesterday's Observer according to Information Min. Vaz. You have redeem yourselves today. This editorial in the eyes of independents is however a shameful piece of journalism. For a newspaper to be crowing politically is most unseemly. We the electorate are not fools, we appreciate a fair fight but the Observer continues it partisan pro-JLP editorializing.
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