The season of campaigning for the upcoming local government elections in Jamaica is upon us, marking a pivotal time for the democratic process at the grass roots level.

This period heralds the imminent selection of new councillors tasked with the significant responsibility of managing the affairs and business of the people at the local level. As this crucial time approaches, the attention of the Jamaican electorate is now focused on identifying and electing the individuals who will hold this important trust. The role of these councillors is not only administrative but also deeply intertwined with the well-being and progress of the communities they serve.

The forthcoming elections offer an opportunity for citizens to voice their preferences, concerns, and aspirations for their localities, ensuring that the elected representatives are aligned with their collective vision for development, governance, and community welfare. This moment in the electoral cycle is a call to action for all eligible voters to engage, deliberate, and ultimately decide who among the candidates is best suited to navigate the challenges and opportunities at the local government level, thereby shaping the future of their communities.

However, as we approach elections, it is imperative to heed the prescient warning by the first US president, George Washington, in his farewell address delivered on September 17, 1796, particularly as it relates to the rise of political parties and their potential to disrupt the fabric of our nation. Washington cautioned against the inherent dangers posed by political factions, noting, “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”

This warning is especially relevant as we select new councillors to administer the people’s business at the local level. The threat of divisiveness and partisanship, as outlined by Washington, could similarly undermine the integrity of our local governance, steering it away from the common good and towards narrow, partisan objectives. The rise of political factions within our local elections could distract from the primary goal of addressing the needs and aspirations of the communities they are meant to serve, potentially leading to a scenario in which the power of the people is diluted by those with ambitions that do not align with the collective welfare of the Jamaican populace.

As we contemplate the future of our local government, it is crucial to remember Washington’s urging to prioritise national unity and the common good above all. In the context of our local elections, this translates to a collective effort to ensure that the individuals elected to these positions of trust are chosen based on their commitment to the community, their integrity, and their ability to rise above the fray of partisan politics. Let us strive to ensure that our local government remains a bastion of the people’s will, focused on serving the public interest and safeguarding the well-being of our communities, thus honouring the spirit of Washington’s timeless advice.

On the other hand, in a political arena where allegiances often runs as deep and enduring as family ties, and where the partisan divide is not just a line in the sand but a chasm carved by years of rivalry, the idea that a cautionary tale from Washington could sway the tide feels almost comically optimistic. It’s as if suggesting that a single raindrop might be concerned about causing a flood in the midst of a hurricane. Indeed, in the context of Jamaica’s fiercely tribalistic political culture, in which battles are waged not just on policies but on the very identities that define communities, one might wonder if the sage advice to rise above factional interests and prioritise the common good isn’t just a well-intentioned whisper drowned out by the cacophony of centuries-old partisan anthems.

Despite the layers of cynicism that may shroud the political landscape in Jamaica, there remains a glimmering thread of hope that good sense and a genuine commitment to community-building can still prevail among those aspiring for local government leadership. This hope is not founded on naive optimism but on the belief that at the core of every community lies a shared desire for progress, unity, and the well-being of all its members. It’s a hope that, despite the deep-rooted divisions, individuals driven by a genuine passion for service and development can emerge and steer the course of local governance towards a more inclusive and prosperous future.

As we look towards the upcoming local government elections, let us hold on to this hope that among the candidates there will be those who embody the principles of integrity, inclusivity, and dedication to the public good. May these leaders emerge as beacons of change, guided by a vision of unity and progress, and may their efforts sow the seeds for a new era in Jamaican politics in which the collective welfare of the community takes precedence over partisan interests.

Am I hoping against hope? I hope not!

Dr Henry Lewis Jr is an associate professor at University of Technology, Jamaica, in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He is also a social scientist and executive life coach. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or hjlewis@utech.edu.jm.