Dear Editor:

There is often the lament that Jamaican politics has more to do with combative exchanges and one-upmanship than anything substantial or uplifting. Indeed, our political culture is of such that meaningful ventilation of the issues takes a back seat to political clientelism and expediency.

It is not surprising, therefore, that many a voter have come to associate or align themselves with one political party or the other, not so much on the basis of performance, policies, or positioning on key national issues, but rather on the basis of sentiments or direct benefit. This kind of politics has not served us well. In fact, it has held us back and has trapped many in the politics of poverty.

Political support derived from direct benefits or clientelism does very little to challenge the status quo, and stands little chance of getting our political representatives to recognise that mediocrity, poor performance, and misplaced priorities are unacceptable. One can easily see a politician thinking to himself, “Why should I go the extra mile to coordinate a homework programme, start a skills training academy, address the chronic water shortage, or fix the deplorable roads in my constituency if they are going to vote for me no matter what?”

It is against this backdrop that I look on with great admiration at the programme of public engagement being undertaken by the Jamaica Labour Party dubbed Prosperity Live. At its fourth staging in Mandeville, the Opposition leader vowed to make the upcoming general election campaign one that is based on the issues. That is quite commendable.

The JLP has, by all indications, been raising the bar in political messaging and public education by bringing key national issues to the fore and placing key policy proposals on the table, with banners detailing the policies in each portfolio on display at every meeting. At a minimum, this refreshing approach to the politics does justice to the electorate as it puts them in a position to critically analyse proposals and make a voting decision on that basis.

Marlon Morgan

Deputy spokesman on agriculture

Aide to Opposition Leader Andrew Holness

marlonandremorgan@gmail.com