In 1938 a political movement was formed to empower the masses so that, at last, they could have a voice in their country — albeit under a wretched colonial regime. And with a voice yearning for information and participation it was only natural for it to desire food and the basics for decent living.

It was called the People’s National Party (PNP) because it belonged to the people of Jamaica. Everything it did, whether in Opposition or as Government, was with the Jamaican people in mind. The people had to be consulted. In short, the movement was people-centred.

The party founders and subsequent leaders carefully studied the political landscape, the economic institutions, and the plight of the masses and concluded, without apology, that the order of business, the way things were, had done its time and must leave the scene.

Hail that man

During its fledgling years the party laid the foundation to, at least at this stage, ameliorate the social and economic conditions of the proletariat. However, it was Jamaica’s most famous former prime minister and the party’s celebrated president, the late great Comrade Leader Michael Norman “Joshua” Manley who was instrumental, in no dubious manner, in implementing sweeping programmes to enhance the lives of the masses.

After he took charge of the Government in 1972, the famed comrade leader proceeded to dismantle the systems that had kept his people in modern slavery for over 300 years. He began with the introduction of democratic socialism as the vehicle to promote and enhance the necessary social and economic changes.

Bothered by myriad challenges, both internally and externally, the Manley regime battled the turbulence and introduced a raft of social and economic solutions never before seen in the political history of this country. This spectacular and bold plan of action benefited the masses immensely: suddenly the small man’s child knew what a lawn tennis and badminton racquet was; the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) was formed — now Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning — and illiteracy was on the retreat; the aspiration of a university education was becoming a reality, decent wages; while still a work in progress, was a far cry from what it used to be (the capitalist-controlled economy was a formidable hindrance). Finally, at last, there was a purpose to live, a reason to dream, a strong sense of belonging.

Lumpenproletariats

After being passionately concerned and daring enough to do something about the situation to pull them from the doldrums, the lumpenproletariats voted out the Manley-led Government in the 1980 General Election. “See me an’ come live wid me a two different ting,” so the saying goes, and in the context of the then Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government this held perfectly true, as a poll conducted by the late noted pollster Professor Carl Stone clearly indicated the Edward Seaga-led JLP Government had lost over 65 per cent of its popularity rating in a record 23 months.

I took the chronological path to highlight the core objectives of the People’s National Party before I shred the ‘ulterior-motive driven’ demands for “renewal and rebranding”.

Let us all get one thing fundamentally clear: The PNP is a socialist movement, first and foremost. It is accepted that the party should adapt to the technological requirements as it relates to communication, recruitment drives, outlining policies, etc. Indeed, the party needs to be renewed; adhere to its socialist principles and truly put the people at the centre of its policies and programmes; expand and strengthen the group structures in every community; and launch a political education programme in every crevice and corner of the island. The PNP must, once again, be made attractive to prospective voters/supporters/members. After all, it is the party of choice.

Ulterior agenda

The current calls for renewal and rebranding have a sinister agenda. The proponents are determined to erode the socialist fabric of the party (a process which had its genesis during the Patterson era). There is also a move to saturate the PNP with JLP rejects, thus undermining the fundamental principles of the noble movement.

These supposed calls for renewal and rebranding are clearly not genuine, because had we won the general election there would not have been a need for renewal. A drowning man grabbing at straws will surely drown.

Several influential circles, over the years, have been asking, “What about the famed policies of the 70s, the legendary advocacy for the masses, the party with the magnetic appeal that attracted so many to it?” The answer lies internally, where people like Peter Bunting and others have been very busy burying the progressive image of the organisation, trying to suppress all attempts to revive it and systematically targeting party stalwarts who are defiantly in their way.

However, the real hard core socialists of the PNP, especially those from the 70s era, will not sit idly by and allow these capitalist-laced, so-called Comrades to hijack the party for their elitist benefits at the expense of the masses for whom it was created.

Lisa Hanna is apparently reading a bit of literature here and there, albeit obviously upside down. She is quoting Michael Manley as saying one must have the courage to change things that do not work, or something to that effect. What he meant, and was bold enough to do, was to look at the political landscape, see the monstrous nature of the injustices and, indeed, changed it.

What is not working now, what needs to be changed? May I play a role in Lisa Hanna’s political development by inviting her to my political education classes.

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