In August of 1942, after a tour of rural parishes following his release from detention, Alexander Bustamante declared at a public meeting that he was going to form a political party, the Jamaica Labour Party(JLP), of which he would be the unquestionable boss.

“I will be the boss of my party. If any member goes to the council and deceives me, he shall have a hot time, for I will be the boss. I will direct you how to vote and for whom to vote.” However, he did promise that he would put into the Legislative Council many of the “common boys”, arguing that once a man is capable he should be given every chance to achieve the greatest heights.

His labour or workers party was depicted as a party with liberal policies and a progressive outlook that will recognise the legitimate claims of both labour and capital for adequate representation. Interestingly, the word “labour” in politics connoted a socialist orientation as did “Workers Party” as can be see in later years when Trevor Munroe founded the Workers Party of Jamaica, which was deemed to be a communist organisation.

In the meantime, it was more than ironic that Bustamante would use the word “labour” to name his party, as even back then it was well known that the British Labour Party was and still is a socialist body. So for Bustamante it was more a case of “labourism” which, in essence, meant transferring his trade union (Bustamante Industrial Trade Union [BITU]) goals into political action.

Interestingly, even back then he expressed no interest in self-government or constitutional reform. These objectives were to be found more so in the People’s National Party’s (PNP) objectives. Hence, what emerged as the ethos of the JLP from way back then was the leader-centric approach, which has lingered in the party to this day.

Of note, too, was Bustamante’s concern about the welfare of women, which, back then, aroused a very strong following among working-class women, which accorded him an undying devotion and a fanatical loyalty. No wonder current JLP Leader Andrew Holness has expressed a similar stance, which he expounded at the party’s 80th conference in the National Arena, pointing to the fact that the party now has the largest number of female representatives in its fold.

In July 1943 the JLP was officially launched and critics then noted that it was nothing more than a political label for the BITU. To put it bluntly, the JLP, like the BITU, was Bustamante. Well that was then. Today, the JLP has evolved into a modern-day capitalist-oriented party that espouses trickle-down economics, and despite many ups and downs, including leadership challenges and the deliberate demonisation of its maximum leader Edward Seaga by the People’s National Party (PNP), it is safe to say that the green party is stronger than ever, united and focused, to the extent that it is now salivating at the prospect of its leader, “Andrew the Builder”, chalking up an unprecedented third term. But will this become a reality?

Against this backdrop some political pundits have likened the current scenario to that which ensued after the 1980 General Election, which saw the PNP being devastated at the polls by a wide margin (51 to 9). It was Seaga’s shining moment, but by 1983 there was an ominous shift developing towards the PNP, which decided not to contest the general election of that year because it was being held on an outdated voters’ list.

Shunted to the political wilderness while the JLP enjoyed a one-party Parliament, the Michael Manley-led PNP regrouped, reorganised, and refocused to the extent that by 1986, when the local government elections were held, there was a significant swing towards the PNP, which eventually led to its regaining power by a 45 to 15-seat margin in1989. Come 2020 and the Andrew Holness-led JLP whopped the PNP with a 49 to 14-seat margin of victory.

Many readers will recall that Seaga did much back then to revive a battered economy and put the country on a growth trajectory. But, as he said then, “It takes cash to care,” and what is unfolding now is that despite the success stories on the economic front many Jamaicans are not savouring the prosperity cake. There is also an overwhelming feeling that the country is going in the wrong direction, too much corruption, lawlessness, indiscipline, crime and violence, not to mention the perception that the Holness Administration is becoming increasingly dictatorial and arrogant. In this vein, the polls have begun to reflect this disaffection and disenchantment with “Brogad”, who some say has lost his sheen.

Traditionally, the Jamaican electorate has always given both parties a two-term run, which was first overturned with a wily and politically astute P J Patterson creating history with Jamaica’s first third-term victory. After Sunday’s massive show at National Arena, Labourites are beaming with confidence that a likeable “Anju”, who is young, fit, and ready, can bring home the bacon, starting with the local government elections due by February 2024 to be followed by the general election due by 2025.

Some of the reasons Labourites are beaming with confidence is that, for starters, Holness has remained far more popular and “likeable” than PNP President Mark Golding; the JLP has a better team to run the country; it also has a much bigger war chest (or so it seems); is united; and has a track record of achievements that the PNP will be hard-pressed to counter on the election platform.

But will Anju’s and Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke’s trickle-down economics approach work the magic to keep at bay the angry wolves in the electorate who continue to feel that the “di rain a fall but di dutty tuff, pot a bwile but di food no nuff”? From all indications it will not be as easy a ride as it was in 2020.

Indeed, if the JLP are to win, it will have to be satisfied with a reduced majority. On the other hand, in our first-past-the-post parliamentary democracy the PNP could win with a canter.

Whither the JLP? The bell has been rung and the trumpet has been sounded. It remains to be seen who will answer the call. God help Jamaica!

Lloyd B Smith has been involved full-time in Jamaican media for the past 48 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.