Dear Editor,

As we approach the electoral silly season we have to pay special attention to the utterances of politicians.

Seemingly, members of the People’s National Party (PNP) are still in shock at their own strong showing in the recent local government elections and are determined to erase any momentum the party may have garnered.

It does not matter which party we support, having a strong Opposition is crucial to a healthy democracy. Since February 2024, however, some members of the PNP have been hell-bent on scoring own goals as we head for general election next year.

The latest own goal is a current Member of Parliament from the PNP asking for rape to be redefined in gender-neutral terms. This is not a new topic in Jamaica, as it was extensively reviewed years ago and rejected because such a change would ultimately impact the definition of marriage and would result in same-sex marriages being legal in Jamaica. Any such change to the definition of marriage must be taken by the people of Jamaica and not determined by a select few in Parliament.

There would be more respect for those pushing the proposal now if they would state their ultimate end goal as the legalisation of same-sex marriage rather than using the fig leaf of protecting human rights.

There is already legal punishment for buggery and grievous sexual assault in Jamaica. Why do politicians think it is their duty to force their own views on us? Our country is a democracy not a totalitarian State, and no politician can simply force his or her so-called progressive views on us. The people demand a say in this matter. We realise that much of the push for certain changes to our laws and constitution is being unduly influenced by external forces, big money sponsorship, and self-aggrandisement.

The PNP was quick to speak out against the own goal of increasing General Consumption Tax to state that the senator was not speaking on behalf of the party. Instead of focusing on issues such as corruption, crime, and chaos in the health-care system, we are getting media coverage of the PNP’s support for the repeal of the buggery law and redefinition of marriage.

This is an unwinnable position for the general election in 2025, as the subjects mentioned have been routinely rejected by the majority of Jamaicans who hold very strong traditional views on marriage.

It’s time for the PNP to conduct an internal assessment to determine whether there are people within the party who are rooting for a defeat in 2025.

Marsha Thomas

marshburns@hotmail.com