Some 15, 307 votes gave the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) victory over the People’s National Party (PNP) in the September 3, 2025 General Election. The official result indicated that the JLP garnered 412,705 votes to the PNP’s 401,398. This, in essence, means the country is almost evenly divided between these two traditional rivals, both of whom attracted a mere 39.96 per cent of registered voters.

Frankly, neither party should have much to crow about, notwithstanding the fact that our Westminster parliamentary system adheres to the principle of first past post, because it is safe to say that the majority of Jamaicans are saying, “A plague on both your houses!”

In this vein, Jamaica’s tribal politics continues to ensure that we have a divide and rule system which is embedded in our DNA and has now reared its ugly head in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Indeed, there have been several accusations coming from both sides that it is a classic case of “parson christen him pickney first”, with respect to the distribution of relief items.

Where did it all start? In his seminal work, Alexander Bustamante and Modern Jamaica, the late Professor George E Eaton wrote: “Admittedly, also, much of the dynamism of incipient nationalism, initially generated by the PNP, was spent in the fratricidal struggle between rival union-party blocs. Thus, instead of being able to capture the swell of racial consciousness which had crested in the revolt of the laboring poor during 1938, and to harness it to the cause of a vigorous anti-imperialist and nationalist movement aimed at achieving a Jamaican identity and consciousness based on pride and racial self-respect, Norman Manley and the PNP were forced to devote all their energies and organizational talents to converting Bustamante (and the traditionalist agro-proletariat) to the cause of self-government, even while seeking to wrest political power for themselves. Furthermore, Bustamante was won over to the cause of self-government only when he became convinced that the PNP did not intend to establish a socialist or communist State. The PNP, by force of circumstance, thus was led to abandon whatever radical policies it had initially espoused while retaining the (captive) rhetoric of socialism, a dubious advantage at best.”

Thus were sown the early seeds of political tribalism and one-upmanship that have continued to find fertile ground in a country that has failed to come to terms with itself. The major problem, of course, is that both the JLP and PNP have so far not succeeded in taking Jamaica to a level of sustainable economic growth while ensuring a socially stable and patriotic people. What has happened in socialist China points to the fact that fortune oftentimes favours the brave.

The PNP continues to treat with ambivalence its socialist orientation when even its arch-rival, the JLP, has adopted many of its precepts and practices, albeit in a bastardised way. If PNP President Mark Golding hopes to take the PNP back into the winner’s circle, he must lead a party that is fervently appreciative of the original principles and objectives of that noble movement, as espoused by Norman Manley.

Recently, the JLP’s Deputy Leader Desmond McKenzie reportedly stated that the PNP should never be allowed the privilege of running this country again, and already some Labourites have been touting “fourth-term loading”, which would suggest that there will be no room for the country to settle down, but will be in a constant electioneering mode. And we have seen JLP operatives, including ministers and ministers of state, parading in green as they traverse the country handing out goodies. JLP leader and Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has also declared in Parliament that some PNP Members of Parliament have been distributing hurricane relief items only to party supporters.

But while this “pot-cussing-the-kettle” scenario plays out, and vice versa, the bottom line is that Jamaica is leaning towards becoming a failing State, with the two political parties taking alternative grabs at power while the people more and more become powerless socially, economically, and psychologically. We are at ground zero, so we must come up with a pragmatic and nationalist plan of action.

In this vein, as foolhardy as it may sound, we need a Government of national unity. Suspend the Jamaican Constitution, which ludicrously still has us swearing allegiance to a dying monarchy and put in place an emergency set of agreed governing principles while a new constitution, embedded in republican status, is crafted, bearing in mind the necessity to have separation of powers. Get the best minds — with a Lee Kuan Yew mindset designed to spur economic growth while creating a society based on discipline, probity, and unity — at the helm of Government.

This thought process needs to be fleshed out in greater detail, but as a patriotic, well-meaning Jamaican, I see no other way out at this time. As the old Jamaican saying goes, “What gone bad a morning, can’t come good a evening!”

In the meantime, thousands of Jamaicans are suffering daily, a classic case of the JLP and PNP fiddling while “Rome” burns. In this revolutionary state of affairs, the people are not contented to just eat “cake”. Their bread-and-butter issues must be sufficiently addressed post-haste. Accordingly, Government must apply in a pragmatic way Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, bearing in mind that these so-called charitable acts must be done in a way that protects the citizens’ dignity and self-respect.

Lest we forget: United, we will survive; divided, we will most certainly fail. To the JLP and PNP: Heed the words of renowned philosopher Bertrand Russell in assessing the then ongoing strife between the superpowers, USA and USSR, “It’s either coexistence or no existence.”

Lloyd B Smith is a veteran journalist/publisher for over 50 years who once served as a People’s National Party 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.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding chides the Government for celebrating the US$6.7-billion recovery package from international financial institutions in Parliament on Tuesday. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)