Dear Editor,

While the majority of voters may not necessarily vote based on a party’s manifesto, many use them to get a sense of a party’s intentions, plans, and purpose.

I commend the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) for presenting a comprehensive manifesto at a well-organised launch, which helped to boost its profile. The party used technology to present the manifesto in different formats to reach a wide audience. Krystal Tomlinson as moderator at the launch was also exceptional, she was professional, engaging, and articulate.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding and others, such as Dr Dayton Campbell, Donna Scott Mottley, and Dr Alfred Dawes, gave outstanding speeches at the launch. I was particularly struck by Dr Dawes’ speech on the state of the health-care sector as I had just watched a social media clip shared by a young man who was hospitalised at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) recently and was appalled by the conditions. He described feeling homeless and helpless.

That Jamaicans deserve better is an understatement, and I think growing concerns about health care could help to tip the election. Which party can do better?

The PNP’s manifesto provided a holistic approach to solving major problems and challenges facing the country. It was clear that a lot of research and on-the-ground engagement with ordinary Jamaicans took place, and the party has confirmed this. The research involved focus groups, feedback from shadow Cabinet members, retreats, etcetera over two years. The attention to detail, with strong emphasis on family, faith, and the youth, stood out.

The manifesto addressed sustainability, education, health care, and support for the elderly and disable as well as other vital areas for development. Countries which use a holistic approach with emphasis on education, health care, and social needs of families tend to rank on top as the world’s happiest nations. If you nurture families, you create better societies, which help to drive economic development.

I thought the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) would’ve been first to present its manifesto considering it knew when the prime minister would call the election. However, its primary focus was on a glossy book of achievements.

The JLP has publicly criticised the PNP for copying its plans, but I didn’t find any glaring similarities between the two. To suggest that the PNP used artificial intelligence (AI) to generate its manifesto was very lame, considering the JLP’s manifesto is already late.

The electorate deserves sufficient time to assess plans from both sides, and Jamaicans should be encouraged to go out and cast their votes. When there is more interest and more at stake, voter turnout is likely to be higher.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com