Dear Editor,

As the JLP celebrates its third year in office, one cannot escape the fact that one very big negative of the past three years is the decimation of the party’s grassroots organisation, resulting in a growing disconnect between the party leadership and its base. The party of Bustamante is no more.

While the branch system was one of the first casualties of the “18-year war”, the new JLP has removed all traces of grassroots organisation. In fact, at present there is only one operational JLP affiliate, the opulent G2K, which replaced the grassroots movement, Young Jamaica, in the last phase of the 18-year war. To the victors belong the spoils. Under the present leadership, Young Jamaica, the former youth arm of the JLP, the Women’s Freedom Movement, the National Patriotic Movement and the Jamaica Institute for Political Education have all disappeared from the political landscape, without a trace.

While dismantling Tivoli Gardens does not fit squarely in this context, some view this as further destruction of the JLP grassroots organisation.

Therefore, the JLP is faced with a serious performance gap, even amongst its most dedicated supporters, as the chasm between the leadership and the base widens. Developments in the economy and elsewhere in the system are neither felt nor understood by the base, therefore they can’t really “sing about it”.

The JLP, more so than the PNP, started out of grassroots organisation and enjoyed most success under Bustamante when the leadership was in tune with its base. As we begin the countdown to 2012, serious introspection is required. How will the JLP reengage a neglected base? Interesting times are ahead.

Joyce Elliott

jejoyelliott@gmail.com