Dear Editor,

It is becoming clearer that the general election is imminent.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has hinted that the date will be announced soon. Meantime, he and other members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have elevated their campaigning by going into the streets to distribute their booklet of achievements to the Jamaican people. Undoubtedly, this is not something commonly seen. But this prime minister is down to earth and able to connect with many people.

This new campaign approach has really caught the People’s National Party (PNP) off guard. Will they now try to match the JLP’s energy? Nevertheless, some have argued that it is a waste of money printing campaign materials that many people will not even read. Others have questioned Holness’s confidence in securing a third term. If, in fact, the JLP has found favour with the electorate, why hasn’t the prime minister called the election as yet?

Notwithstanding, there is merit in going into the streets to interact with the people. For some, by just meeting the prime minister and another government minister in this context, it will be the determining factor in terms of how they vote.

This strategy differs from the PNP’s. The party has consistently maintained that time has come. But for what exactly?

As we draw closer to a consequential election, we are still unclear about the PNP’s policies and the direction in which it intends to steer the country should it form the next Government. As we have consistently seen, the shadow ministers continue to speak out of turn, and there is no coordination with respect to how critical issues are addressed. Their state of unreadiness stares us in the face. For a party that wants to regain State power, its consistently high level of flip-flopping does not encourage the electorate to have confidence in them.

Time has come for the PNP to show that it is a better alternative for Jamaica. The constant rhetoric about corruption in the JLP is not having much effect, if any at all. The PNP still has a few days to get it right. Tell us about strategic, well-thought-out policies, and social and economic reform that will uplift Jamaica and Jamaicans.

Time has come for Opposition Leader Mark Golding to be more mindful of his decorum, in how he speaks and dresses. As a political leader image is very important. There ought to be more tact in his overall presentation. Undeniably, he is a brilliant man, but he and his team need to examine his overall packaging and presentation.

Time has come for our political leaders to give us a reason to trust the political system. There has been a consistent decline in voter turnout over the past years, which is not good for democracy. We need as many people to vote in the upcoming election, which we hope to be free and fair and void of violence.

Our political history is critical to our affiliations and ideologies. We should never go back to the level of tribalistic politics that existed in former years. We should never go back to economic mismanagement that has derailed our country.

The generation now is seeing what Holness and Golding are doing. These are the two leaders many of them can relate to in a practical way. Their style of leadership and vision for the country will either inspire or dissuade young people to believe in the political system. Which of them will deliver for us?

Will the electorate ‘Choose Jamaica’ and the JLP or will they decide that ‘Time Come’ to rescue the country from the JLP?

The race to 32 is definitely on.

Oneil Madden

Maddenoniel@yahoo.com