Dear Editor,

On Sunday, November 22 the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will meet for the public session of its 81st annual conference at the National Arena. It most likely will be the party’s last conference before the next general election, which is constitutionally due by September 2025.

As such, anticipation is high for the critical messages that the different party representatives will advance to convince party faithfuls and undecided voters to trust party leader Dr Andrew Holness and his team to continue building Jamaica.

Having had strong competition from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) at the local government election polls in February of this year, and having seen the numbers that the PNP pulled at its conference in September, the JLP needs to demonstrate that its base is ever stronger.

Understandably, it is not mere attendance that will secure victory for any political party; instead, the people must go out and vote when it matters most. We witnessed what happened recently with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the United States.

It is expected that the JLP will continue its rhetoric of being the only Government since Independence to undertake and complete copious national projects. They will reiterate that they are the Government of and for the people. Furthermore, they will recap the macroeconomic achievements experienced by the country and the economic empowerment felt by many Jamaicans through the public sector compensation review.

Truthfully, many people are quietly enjoying the massive increases given, while others wish they received some more in addition to maintaining some previous allowances.

While the Government has done some notable things and has provided basic infrastructure, such as access to water and roads for many communities, there is still the question of whether the JLP has done enough and if they deserve a third term.

The nation’s roads are in a terrible condition. Both pedestrians and motorists are complaining bitterly. The Government has allotted $40 billion to the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement (SPARK) programme, but how much longer before things start sparking? The city roads are atrocious, not to mention the rural ones.

Cost of living is high. Without adequate spending power, the average citizen cannot feel, in a tangible way, the many fiscal praises that the Government has received from esteemed international bodies. But the Government is certainly aware of these challenges, especially in light of recent pronouncements from Prime Minister Holness that Jamaica needs to pivot from macroeconomic stability to robust growth. It is really time to accelerate.

The JLP must, therefore, be careful not to paint a scenario as though things are at their absolute best, ignoring the realities of citizen security, inflation, and the high cost of food and housing.

On the matter of housing, there is a serious shortage being experienced, and real estate prices have gone through the roof. The National Housing Trust (NHT), which has a mandate to provide reasonable housing solutions, has been derelict in its duties in completing any major achievement, yet it records billions in profits yearly. To do what exactly? The executives at the NHT are handsomely paid, thus more is required of them. What often happens in the public sector is that people are rewarded and promoted for years of service and not necessarily for their record of performance.

In an era in which brain drain and migration are the order of the day, the JLP will want to appeal to young Jamaicans. Why should they remain in the country? Is there a sustainable future for them?

By the way, the party must be mindful to address these and other critical issues and not be distracted by gimmicks and celebrity endorsements. Let us see if Jamaica’s partnership with the JLP is worth continuing.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com