Youth and intelligence unwanted?
In the recent weeks, delegates from the People’s National Party and Jamaica Labour Party have rejected candidate hopefuls Raymond Pryce and Dr Christopher Tufton and most recently Damion Crawford. These are candidates that many will describe as “young and bright”.
But youth and ‘brightness’ seem not to be necessarily attractive qualities in politics. At least, that is the message being sent.
Particularly in the case of Damion Crawford, it seems that the value of intelligence and new thinking is little to nothing, at least to the delegates. This is how it seems.
Now, there have been complaints from some constituents about the work done by these three men. However, there have been similar complaints, over a much more extended period, about older MPs who have remained in Parliament for years. They did not face this sort of challenge (Lloyd B Smith may be an exception).
Perhaps, there is merit to the view that the same result may not have been reached if more young people got involved in the vote and supported young politicians with new ideas. However, the manner in which these men have been removed, without even going before the wider electorate, sends a message that no matter how you contribute to the process of governing, you must pay your dues to party stalwarts or pay the cost.
From as early as PJ Patterson with Michael Manley, to Bruce Golding with Edward Seaga — both having to leave, and return ‘older and wiser’ — Jamaican politics has carried undertones of an unfavourable view of youth. And this definitely does nothing to attract more youth voters.
One needs only to look at the reactions on social media to the rejection of Damion Crawford to see how his rejection further disheartened young people with Jamaican politics.
Now, we admit, it may not be so simple as youth and intelligence. There is a lot of messiness that goes into winning an election. But if we are truly focused on improving our political climate, the rejection of Damion Crawford, Raymond Pryce and Dr Christopher Tufton by the delegates sends a horrifying message.