Historically, western Jamaica has always played a pivotal role in Jamaica’s political development. Readers will recall the Frome riots in Westmoreland and the Sam Sharpe rebellion in St James, both of which helped in a dramatic fashion to shape the way forward in terms of workers’ rights and, ultimately, democratic rights and freedom. Also of note is that Jamaica’s first prime minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, as well as its first native governor general, Sir Clifford Campbell, hailed from the west — Hanover and Westmoreland, respectively.

There is, too, the perception, whether real or imagined, that in terms of which party was likely to win a general election, the west is always seen as the weathervane. Interestingly and intriguingly, the results of the September 3, 2025 General Election defied that tradition somewhat, as despite an impressive showing, in terms of ballots cast for the People’s National Party (PNP) in the region, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) emerged first past the post nationally, leaving the PNP to bite the dust.

Then, in October, came Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the western region more than anywhere else on the island, and there has been much whispering on the hustings that the Andrew Holness Administration has not moved with as much alacrity as was expected in the aftermath of that “holocaust” because the people did not overwhelmingly support the JLP at the polls. Whether true or false, it is fair to say the Government’s recovery and rebuilding efforts have been found wanting in many respects, and this may well explain why, strategically, the PNP decided to take the highly anticipated public session of its national conference, which traditionally has been held at the National Arena, to Independence Park, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.

Then again, the month of September does have much emotional significance for the PNP. In his book
NW Manley – The Making of Modern Jamaica, Arnold Bertram (Congrats, sir, on being awarded an honorary doctorate by The University of the West Indies for your seminal work as a historian) writes, inter alia: “The conference reconvened on the morning of September 18th at the Silver Slipper Club. Here the constitution was approved…The People’s National Party was launched that afternoon at the imposing Ward Theatre located at North Parade in downtown Kingston. The theatre was filled to capacity, with another 5,000 people gathered outside for the public launch of the party. NN Nethersole chaired the afternoon’s proceedings, with Alexander Bustamante in attendance!”

Norman Manley

Prior to that historic event, Bertram noted that both Manley and OT Fairclough (a co-founder) had agreed to name the new political entity the Jamaica Labour Party: “However, Cecil Beckford, in a letter to the press, reminded Manley that a Jamaica Labour Party had already been launched. In deference to Beckford, the name People’s National Party was unanimously agreed on as the substitute.”

So, in a real way, both the JLP and the PNP have been inextricably bound at the hip, and it must also be remembered that both Bustamante and Manley were cousins. It is, therefore, regrettable that both parties and their followers have so often had daggers drawn at each other.

Bertram went on to state that, “A careful reading of Manley’s address to the public session of the founding conference leaves no doubt that his vision of the PNP was a mass democratic, decentralised organisation that would not only elect the national leadership, but would also function as ‘The University of the People’ to inculcate in the membership a sense of rights and responsibilities to underpin a dynamic and functional democracy. It was to further this objective that he charged the party to embark on a widespread campaign of education, carried right down to the masses of the people.”

Has the PNP lived up to that charge made by “Father Manly”? Absolutely not! Indeed, it has evolved into being what his son Michael Norman Manley was led to opine in his book The Politics of Change: A Jamaican Testament: “Left to themselves, political parties quickly degenerate into machines for attacking opponents, distributing the spoils of office, and electing candidates.” Unfortunately, isn’t this what the PNP of today has become? Both Manleys must be twisting and turning in their graves!

There are some who argue the People’s National Party has lost the essence upon which it was founded.

Against this backdrop, this weekend it behoves the PNP to repent and be rebaptised in “Manleyism”, not just romanticising about democratic socialism. From all indications, the PNP has abandoned the whole business of political education which the elder Manley had charged the party to pursue and which, in the past, when pursued, helped to give the party true meaning and a fixity of purpose.

Party President Mark Golding needs to become a student of history so that he can better appreciate the Manley mission — as espoused by father and son — instead of pandering to populist gimmickry and finger-pointing.

My words may be harsh, but if Jamaica’s future is a thriving democracy underpinned by the tenets of equal rights and justice, then the two-party system must be more evenly balanced, with the people being given meaningful alternatives when they vote. Jamaica is at a pivotal crossroads. There is the pressing matter of attaining republican status, a quest that, so far, has been mired in narrow partisan wrangling.

Time is burning, and Golding must use his presidential podium this weekend to address this issue in a meaningful and forthright way that gives well-thinking Jamaicans a sense of hope.

The next general election is likely to fall within the time frame of Vision 2030, unless Prime Minister Holness calls a snap election — which could well be likely as he may want to take advantage of the continuing in-fighting in the PNP as it thrashes about with so sense of direction.

The PNP must be fighting fit and ready, emboldened by the visions that the Manleys sought to instil in every Jamaican man and woman, boy and girl. Nationhood beckons!

Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 50 years. He has also 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.