Dear Editor,

A few weeks ago Jamaica saw an orange wave at the National Arena at the People’s National Party’s (PNP) 85th Annual Conference.

The production was one of the best in many years by the PNP. People turned out from all walks of life to send a signal that the people need a change from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)-led Government.

The people of the country are anticipating a change, but is the PNP machinery ready for such a mandate? Checks with several people indicate that the country is ready, but the PNP isn’t. And the JLP, led by Andrew Holness, might just catch the PNP off guard with a snap election.

Word on the ground is that some key person within the party wants President Mark Golding to fail in order to mount a challenge to his leadership.

To win an election the entire machinery must be in tune, not just the wheels but the engine, steering wheel, and the passengers, too, because the passengers are the ones who will vote at the end of the day.

The leadership challenges are long over. The machinery needs Phillip Paulwell to spin the wheels, and Lisa Hanna and Damion Crawford to be the headlights.

It’s time party faithfuls realise they can’t win with just the driver Mark Golding, the ‘ductor’ Peter Bunting, and the backup boys Ian Hayles and Dayton Campbell.

If the party is to hold the JLP accountable, it needs all its party supporters and individuals who want to see the country moving on the right track.

The PNP now needs to tell Jamaicans why it should be elected instead of the JLP-led Government. What will the PNP bring to the people that the JLP hasn’t and cannot? This is what the undecided wants to hear.

The party should recall that one of the reasons it remained in Government for 18 years was because it was up against a divided JLP. The PNP of today would do well to learn from this and not fall victim to divided loyalties.

Rashford Dinham

dinham.rasford@gmail.com