One irrefutable signal that a general election is imminent in Jamaica is the frantic attention given to road repairs by the political party in power.

The current frenzied efforts by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, to fix roads right across the country, after many years of neglect, would have confirmed in the minds of every Jamaican citizen that “election a come”.

In a seemingly rabid public relations stunt, the Holness Administration has come up with SPARK (Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network) and REACH (Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help), no doubt hoping that these two highly touted programmes will add a spark to the JLP’s election campaign and its message of “third term is a must” will reach the hearts of sufficient voters to ensure that there is no change in the status quo once the dust has settled after polls have been cast.

SPARK and REACH are among the many goodies that Prime Minister Holness has been foisting on the people of Jamaica in Santa Clause fashion — ho,ho,ho! But can the pouring of asphalt guarantee a resounding victory for the JLP, which has been acting like a deer caught in headlights.

In a recent conversation this writer had with a certain sitting Member of Parliament (MP), he expressed grave concern over the fact that his constituents were so hard to please. He disclosed that during a tour of his constituency he was accosted by an angry female supporter who wanted to know what he was going to do for her. His reply was, “Well, for starters, I am giving you some newly paved roads for you to walk and drive on.” Her terse response was, “Asphalt can’t nyam!”

On the surface this may seem to be a most ungracious, abrupt, and facety remark, but when fully analysed speaks to the heart of the matter with respect to whether Brogad’s in-your-face prosperity campaign has foundered on the rocks of unfulfilled promises. Let’s face it, politics in Jamaica has become very transactional. I had a similar experience years ago when I was campaigning for political office. I went into a yard where I was introduced to an “elder” who I was told was the main influencer when it comes to voting. He greeted me quite civilly then pointed to an unfinished structure which was supposed to be an extension of the family dwelling. He told me that the “yard” had 15 votes, which he could guarantee me if I provide some building material to finish the structure.

Political neophyte that I was at the time, I told him that I did not have such resources and could not directly make such a commitment if I was elected, but, on the other hand, I assured him that I would ensure that he got better roads, reliable water supply, etc. He sauntered away from me, acting as if I was speaking in a language foreign to him.

The bottom line is that the majority of people in this country who vote are at the lower end of the socio-economic ladder, and for them it is “kitchen table” issues that matter. Of course, there are those who strongly believe in the “let off” culture, which explains why there is the prevalence of vote-buying and patronage.

So what are the real issues that will persuade the average voter, especially those who have an independent mind and so do not vote blindly along partisan lines?

This upcoming election will be very close as both the JLP and People’s National Party (PNP) bases have been sufficiently mobilised, which means that the party that will be first past the post is one that offers more than just “asphalt”. The obverse of this scenario comes to the fore in yet another conversation this writer had with a JLP bigwig supporter who reacted quite bluntly to my positing that the issue of integrity will be a factor in the upcoming general election. His blunt response was, “Integrity can’t nyam!”

So, clearly, when all is said and done, it is the belly, not the brain, that influences the average voter. But our politicians should bear in mind “that one day bellyful can’t fatten mawga cow”. And Bob Marley’s prophetic and iconic lyrics still continue to ring true: “Dem belly full but we hungry; a hungry mob is a angry mob; rain a fall but the dutty tough.” And so in this “licky-licky, nyammy-nyammy” environment, it will be a case of which carries more weight, the message or money? Then again, money makes the mare run!

In the overall scheme of things, asphalt does matter, but so does integrity. In this vein, JLP Leader Holness should not just focus on the country’s physical infrastructure, but also zero in on the pressing matter of integrity or the lack thereof, which may well turn out to be his Achilles heel. This then brings into sharp focus the trust factor. His various run-ins with the Integrity Commission plus the various controversial ways he has handled a number of governance issues have made a significant number of Jamaicans somewhat queasy. Indeed, there has been much talk about that should he get a third term he may turn out to be a mini Donald Trump.

In the meantime, the PNP and its president, Mark Golding, must be wary of being merely reactionary rather than engaging the Jamaican people in meaningful dialogue as to the way forward. They must set out to forge a contract with the people that speaks to accountability, transparency and, yes, integrity.

Be that as it may, the goodly Dr Holness has enough time to change that trajectory of thought which sees him as having dictatorial tendencies as well as a propensity for pomposity. To begin with, his handling of the constitutional reform process should not take a back seat while he pours the asphalt. The Jamaican people deserve a servant leader that is transformational and compassionate, not arrogant and uncaring, merely obsessed with the attainment and wielding of power.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved full-time in Jamaican media for the past 49 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.