Majority UPP support from women

Women make up more than half of the registered members of Jamaica’s newest political party, the United People’s Party, (UPP), but president of the party, Antonette Haughton-Cardenas says that the feedback from the men is also impressive.

“Fifty five per cent of the total paid up members are women,” Haughton-Cardenas told All Woman. “We have 500 fully paid up members so far and the number is rising. We have other persons registered but they have not paid yet.”

According to her, while there was significant interest from the men, the women had paid up more quickly.

The UPP was launched last month at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, with an interim committee of Haughton-Cardenas as president, historian Betty Ann Blaine as vice president and Educator, Horace Matthews as general secretary.

Since then Haughton said the party has been focusing on fund raising and membership. She said the party offices had received numerous calls expressing support and setting up appointments across the island.

All Woman spoke with a few women to get their feedback on the UPP.

“I am willing to give her a chance to run the country because I am fed up of the two party system. It’s time for a change from the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, and the People’s National Party, PNP,” said Rosie, who is a self-employed mother of two.

According to her, she had been a PNP supporter but no longer felt that she could vote for that party based on their performance.

“The JLP is definitely out where my vote is concerned. So I will give the UPP a chance. Some people say Miss Haughton is a big mouth but I don’t care. I think she will offer a cleaner type of politics,” Rosie said.

To Joy from the North Coast, the UPP offered a viable alternative to the PNP, JLP and National Democratic Movement.

“I have not voted for a while but I see the UPP as the way out and I will vote for them,” she said.

She was supported by social policy analyst, Bette, who said she would vote for the UPP based on the party’s apparent sensitivity to social issues.

“Haughton seems to have some sensibility towards social issues. She also is charismatic and can galvanise both grassroot and uptown people,” Bette said. “Even though Haughton has socialist leanings, I don’t mind. I will still vote for her and even join the party.”

For Greta in her mid thirties, the UPP brought new energy to the Jamaican political scene.

“I used to lean towards the PNP but the old system must change so I am going to vote UPP,” she said.

On the other hand, there are others who feel that Haughton and her party have a long way to go in terms of making an impact on the Jamaican political scene.

“I think she has some good policy ideas, but she is far too emotional, and this is the problem I have with many of our other female political leaders. Emotionalism won’t get us anywhere, and they need to settle down and tackle the serious issues of poverty and crime that are plaguing the country. Until they (our women politicians) can convince me that they can effectively do this, I will not vote for any of them,” said Marcia, a young entreperneur. “For now, I will watch, wait annd see,” she added.