Politics is not about objective reality, but virtual reality… a magical movie of sorts, a never-ending and infinitely revisable docu-drama. Strangely, the faithful understand that the movie is not true; yet also maintain that it is the only truth that matters. — Michael Kelly

The last several days have been bad for the People’s National Party (PNP). The findings of the recent Bill Johnson polls, which testified to the precipitous fall in popularity of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Karl Blythe’s filing action in the Supreme Court, fallouts from the mishandling of preparations for the CHIKV by Health Minister Fenton Ferguson, the arrest and charge of Basil Waite, the bad news seemed a constant flow. Some rural folks, especially, looking on at the happenings within the PNP, and indeed the country, might have remarked “bad luck worse than obeah”.

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) should not, however, see the recent spate of PNP bad luck as opportunity to just sit by and wait for the proverbial ripe mango to drop in their laps. Indeed, the population is watching to see how the JLP will use this opportunity to give insight into some of the new leadership traits that it will apply were it to form the Government after the general election that is due in less than 700 days, and even before that the local government elections that may be held in the first half of 2015 — notwithstanding the suggestion I like from Opposition spokesman on Health Dr Ken Baugh, who said that we should postpone the parish council elections and concentrate such funds on the fight against CHIKV and preparation for the now inevitable arrival of Ebola.

Talking about elections, I listened to a very interesting discussion of the poll findings in a barbershop last Sunday. An elderly gentleman reminded patrons that he had lived long enough and seen it all. He opined that polls meant very little. You must have organisation on the ground on election day, he said, ‘winnable’ candidates, and money to circulate to critical supporters who can cause a party to win by their resoluteness.

While I participated in what was being vigorously debated, it dawned on me that, like in 2007, the next general election might be another close encounter. Could it be that the party that wins the next general election will be the one who runs the better grass-roots campaign? Both parties tend to spend millions on media advertising of all types. I wonder how many of these media products actually cause and/or even assist voters to make up their minds about who to vote for or not. Of course, without evidence, it would be foolish for any party to not concentrate on the usual media blitz. But, based on anecdotal discussions, it seem that people are longing for one-on-one, small groups, town hall/school room and civil society connection politics and less on mass media appeal strategies — some, of course, argue that there is no such thing as mass media appeal.

Somehow I get the impression that people are saturated with the Facebook, twitter, and other social media bombardments, but as I said, my impressions are based on anecdotal discussions in places such as barbershops, supermarkets, and other places where ordinary Jamaicans gather. Grass-roots campaigning must also mean the addressing of grass-roots issues. It is ordinary people who have suffered most under this latest instalment of austerity, structural adjustment or International Monetary Fund restrictions, whatever else you wish to call it. I think the party that will win the 2016/17 General Election will be the one that zeros-in on issues that directly affect the lives of ordinary people.

What are some of these big ticket grass-roots issues? Joblessness for a start is a concern of every Jamaican. People all over the country are hungry for decent and sustainable jobs. The belief that was sown in people’s minds that mega projects will result in thousands of jobs and multiple economic spin-offs has lost traction on the ground.

Since the PNP has a larger hard-core base, if the JLP are to win they will need to do a chess move similar to 2007 when they promised free tuition at the secondary level and free access to basic health care at public facilities. The PNP, known for its familiarity with socialism, was placed in the invidious position of trying to defend cost-sharing. My old-timer friend said as much in our barbershop university lecture.

Which one thing would make you all vote for one party over another, I asked. One youngster, who said he was an undecided voter, answered: “Any party that will raise the minimum wage to $10,000 per week has my vote. Right now $5,500 can’t by anything.” Maybe that is the hot button grass-roots issue that will sway the electorate one decisive way or another come 2016/17.

JLP and PNP working together

I was glad to see the prime minister wake from her slumber this week and take the lead in the management of the CHIKV and Ebola preparations. Maybe the polls have given her a shot of the reality that her style of management, which seems to be to let others lead and she follows, except during election campaigns, had lost it flavour. I was even more joyed at the fact the both parties demonstrated, even though not for the first, a willingness to cast politics aside and put Jamaica first. Credit to the PM for finally stepping up to the plate. I hope this is an indication of how she will lead from now on.

Fenton Ferguson

I heard the health minister saying he was doing all possible to prevent himself from catching CHIKV, but that at the same time he was wishing to catch it so that he could experience what ordinary people are feeling. Well, do you also want to catch dengue, or maybe even Ebola, if that is the trajectory of your thought?

A politician should have three hats. One for throwing into the ring, one for talking through, and one for pulling rabbits out of if elected. — Carl Sandburg

Garfield Higgins in an educator and journalist. Comments to higgins160@yahoo.com

CAP:

Could it be that the party that wins the next general election will be the one who runs the better grass-roots campaign?