DAMION Crawford has on many occasions made statements relating to negative issues affecting the country. These comments show the stark reality of a breakdown in the social fabric of Jamaica. In one of his broadsides against elements within his party base, and generally against the lower echelons of society, he opined that people shouldn’t be wasting time partying every night (attending Hot Mondays, Weddy Weddy Wednesdays, etc) but should instead be working harder to catch up financially with the more affluent amongst us. In another speech, he also outlined his disapproval of the so-called handout culture, which is leading people down a road of dependency instead of being more in control of their own destiny through hard work.

This refreshing outlook, in my opinion, is what created a rift in his political organisation in St Andrew East Rural. Crawford, instead of giving handouts to his supporters, directed his limited resources to helping with education and development within his constituency. In St Catherine North Eastern, outgoing Member of Parliament Gregory Mair faced the same predicament, simply because he didn’t travel the road of encouraging dependency, but instead invested heavily in empowering his constituents with a heavy focus on education. Ironically, both members of parliament opted not to seek re-election in the upcoming general election which, on the face of it, suggests some level of frustration with the system, even though they both represent two different parties. Crawford, however, has decided to reconsider his position.

Crawford’s sentiments taken in isolation are commendable, and I am sure have contributed to him gaining some popularity in recent times. But with closer scrutiny it is clear that his seemingly enlightened views run counter to the policies and practices of his own party. I suggest that his pronouncements on political platforms around Jamaica are in line with his recent statement of tricking the people about running in the upcoming election. It is again ironic that this politician, who condemns people who have become so dependent that they have to be pimping out their children for scarce benefits, has failed to outline or consider that his party is the main contributor to such a situation in Jamaica. His current leader, and then minister of labour, was instrumental in allowing many factories (at the time they called sweat factories) to pack up and leave Jamaica resulting in people becoming hustlers and beggars. These closures in the 90s are what have contributed to the many higglers we currently have in the streets of downtown Kingston. Many mothers, during the Freezone era, worked hard in those factories, and even though the salaries were not ideal, managed to send children to school and put food on their tables. His former party leader, the longest-serving prime minister, by his famous speech about ‘more man have car and more man have gyal’ has fuelled this mentality of worshiping vanity at any cost.

The People’s National Party tends to make it a ‘song and dance’ when the country secures a loan from the International Monetary Fund or from the international capital markets, not when we have had growth or have increased exports or, at worse, created jobs. No! Borrowing money is what we as a people have become proud of. These things done and endorsed in the past are why the country is in the state that it is in now. We have fostered a culture of laziness; everybody wants money but no one is willing to work hard for it. The sad thing is the last time this country really had serious growth, high exports, or significant job creation was under the Edward Seaga-led Jamaica Labour Party Government of the 80s.

Crawford has shown that he is a very bright and talented politician, but it is hard to believe that he is unable to conclude that the problems we face as a country were created largely by his own party. His condemnation of the handout culture and some politicking tell the story. So I put it to you that Crawford is a wannabe Labourite, and is not only tricking his constituents, but he is also tricking the members of his party into believing that he is with them.

francis.marlando@gmail.com