In September, the People’s National Party (PNP) promised to stage “the mother of all conferences” – and they did. On Saturday, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) promised to stage “the grandmother of all conferences” – and they did. But the JLP forgot to say they were bringing the grandfather, and other family members as well.

In what has clearly now become a crowd mobilisation contest between the two major political parties, the JLP yesterday put on an impressive show of supporter strength, swamping Kingston’s National Arena – inside and outside – with a think sea of green.

Leaders on the platform were licking their chops at the overwhelmingly large crowd which streamed into whatever space they could find in the stadium complex, even as chaos reigned outside.

There were smiles everywhere, except on Mike Henry’s face. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange was absent from the platform, but was said to be in the audience.

But tempers flared as supporters, and undisciplined bus drivers parked everywhere, defying police instructions not to block gates of homes on several streets, including Stanton Terrace.

A busload of supporters of Joseph Hibbert openly threatened a policeman who was instructing the driver not to block another bus carrying JLP supporters.

They threatened to murder the policeman, and told him what they would do to the police when the JLP came into power.

The policeman, however, refused to be intimidated and one supporter, who appeared to be more level-headed, implored his colleagues and the bus driver to do the right thing.

They did, but not before making more threats.

Like they did at the PNP conference, ganja vendors openly offered the illegal substance, in full view of the police.

An attempt to apprehend one of these vendors led to a near mobbing of the cop, who along with others, later gave in to the pressure.

After that, vehicular chaos reigned outside, and when the conference was over, the disorganisation returned.

But in the midst of the ugliness there were scenes of beauty.

Six police officials outside – all standing at attention as the National Anthem was played. Inside, thousands displayed good behaviour, a carry over from the previous day.

The party leader’s son, Stephen Golding, almost stole the show from his father, Bruce, who gave the keynote address.

The younger Golding, the nephew of trade unionist Pearnel Charles, whose sister Lorna is Bruce Golding’s wife, brought the house down, responding to some of his “detractors” who objected to him being in “politricks”.

Using the story of Jesus in the temple among the Pharisees and Saducees and priests as his father searched for him, Stephen quoted from the Scripture, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I would be in my father’s house? .about my father’s business?”

To loud applause, the young Golding told the conference that “what was good for the Son of man was good for the son of Bruce”.

As he continued talking about his father, the party leader wiped away perspiration, and a few tears.

It was a riveting, yet tender moment. When he was done, conference chairman Desmond McKenzie said “the future of the JLP is in good hands”.