Many years ago, former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader and Prime Minister Edward Seaga, in a controversial speech at a mass meeting in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, likened the western city, oftentimes called the “second city”, to a hapless woman spread-eagled, her legs opened wide, waiting for whomsoever will may come. His graphic description alluded to the fact that Montego Bay was being exploited by all and sundry, in the process not being properly rewarded or respected.

That fiery statement came against the backdrop that the tourism capital was being unfairly treated by the powers that be. Indeed, it is no secret that for decades citizens of the western capital have bemoaned the ongoing perception by the nation’s major decision makers as well as many people islandwide that capital Kingston is Jamaica and the rest of us is “country”.

Ironically, when it comes to the geopolitical ramifications, the “West” — meaning western Jamaica, of which Montego Bay is the regional capital — has been said by pundits to be the weather vane of the island’s politics. In other words, whichever way the West votes usually indicates which political party will be victorious at the polls. In many instances, this has proven to be so, but the last general election showed a slight departure from that expected trajectory. Suffice it to say, however, the West remains a critical and important component in Jamaica’s political architecture.

It should not be surprising, therefore, that in the wake of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) having held its national delegates conference in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, the ruling JLP has now followed suit to stage its annual affair at Montego Bay Convention Centre on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Some will say it is a case of “follow fashion”, but a politically astute JLP leadership no doubt sees this as an opportunity to highlight its high-profile success stories in the West, even as the PNP sought to chide the Andrew Holness-led Administration on its recovery and restoration efforts post-Melissa in the region.

Needless to say, the JLP does have some feathers in its cap. Last Friday, a newly refurbished and upgraded Accident and Emergency Department at Cornwall Regional Hospital was officially opened with much fanfare. In the meantime, the long-awaited completion of a fully restored Cornwall Regional Hospital is being touted. Then there is the game-changing Perimeter Road nearing completion and full utilisation.

On the crime front, in a dramatic turnaround, St James, which was once dubbed the murder capital of Jamaica, has seen a dramatic downturn in homicides and other major crimes. And although it may not be advisable, citizens may want to take the chance of sleeping with their windows and doors open as the prime minister had promised in a speech in Hopewell, Hanover.

Meanwhile, tourism is booming, and based on his last budget presentation, Dr Holness has unveiled a basket of “goodies” for the western city. So it does seem that everything is coming up roses, but is it?

Sometime ago, a World Bank study disclosed that Montego Bay was the fastest-growing city economically in the Caribbean and Latin America. That revelation has led to many enterprising entities and individuals setting up business in the western city, including carpetbaggers and selfish speculators. But while the seemingly positive turn of events has been unfolding, Montego Bay continues to be the home of over 21 squatter settlements, while the downtown area is suffering from a serious bout of neglect and urban blight.

In the meantime, traffic jams continue to haunt the motoring public and there is a crass lack of cultural and artistic activities which are essential ingredients for any major urban centre. No performing arts centre or theatre, no top-of-the-line sporting facility, and I could go on.

It goes without saying that the lopsided and “chaka-chaka” mode of development is primarily because there has been no sustainable and visionary development plan. Several years ago, a group of concerned city fathers, including yours truly, came together to establish the Greater Montego Bay Redevelopment Company (GMRC), whose mandate was to come up with a development plan. This exercise was embarked upon with much alacrity and widespread support across party and sectoral lines. Indeed, the GMRC was co-chaired by the then mayor and president of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

In time, after many challenges and discourse, a plan emerged and was submitted to the then town planner who panned it, dismissing the city’s gigantic effort as merely an “advocacy” document. Those documents have since gathered dust and the great Montego Bay dream gradually died. To date, no meaningful effort has been made to provide the city such a well-needed road map towards organised, meaningful, and comprehensive development. In fact, the United Nations Development Programme praised the plan at the time, declaring that it was an exemplary approach to urban development in small island states.

Mr Prime Minister, Montego Bay needs a development plan!

In the meantime, the wooing of the West continues unabated, but in the very final analysis the development of the West, starting with Montego Bay, must not be a top-down approach. It must involve local stakeholders as well as the the general citizenry when possible. At present, the city is fortunate to have a mayor, Councillor Richard Vernon, who has the ability and vision to lead such a process, but he must be empowered, not just led on a leash.

In the long run, how the West was won must not be purely an empty political exercise bereft of any long-term vision and pursued without any regard for people empowerment and community advancement. Today, as the bells ring and the V sign is thrust into the air amidst shouts about fourth term loading, the West, beginning with Montego Bay, must not continue to be what Seaga once described as a forlorn mistress. Montego Bay, the blushing bride, must be taken over the threshold and be subject to a fruitful and prosperous consummation.

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