Delroy Chuck

Throughout every parish, town and community in Jamaica, there is a sense of social abandonment, state neglect and/or structural decline. Another general election beckons, and the voices and votes of the people will determine Jamaica's path for the next five years. Yet, attracting voter support is not easy. Enough voters have become more discerning and are no longer persuaded by public relations, vain promises and sterile populism - at least, one gets that impression.

The Gleaner has done a wonderful job of interviewing voters in some constituencies and publishing their opinions for the rest of Jamaica to share. In South West St. Elizabeth, it wasn't necessary for The Gleaner to tell us, we knew that Dr. Chris Tufton had made significant political inroads and is on his way to become the next Member of Parliament. In fact, many PNP supporters acknowledge that the seat is now fully JLP and the PNP is unlikely to waste much timetrying to recover it. Still, Chris cannot become complacent and must continue to work, interact with and offer the people hope and a better life throughout his political tenure.

Disappointed with MP

The recent Gleaner reports reveal the people of SW St. Elizabeth are very disappointed with the outgoing MP and present PNP General Secretary, Donald Buchanan. In Monday's report, Page A2, the people gave Danny a failing grade after 18 years of representation. "Donald Buchanan has hurt the PNP's chances in this constituency. You can tell him I said that." "I am from a strong PNP family," notes another voter, but "I will be giving the JLP my vote in the next election, to show this Government that they can no longer walk all over people." In truth, if General Secretary Danny Buchanan is the symbol of the PNP's strength, achievements and hope, the party is in dire trouble. Is it any wonder when the public hears Danny, it is reminded of the former Iraqi Minister of Information who sought to mislead the Iraqi people even when everything was collapsing around him?

In our tribal politics, however, Danny Buchanan has support from the PNP diehards who will forgive him for his failings, neglect and transgressions. In the political field, sentiments and emotions sway people's feelings and, overnight, your strongest critics can become your most ardent supporters. It is not the compelling issues of the day that matter; it is simply how people react to the party and the candidate's behaviour, plans and posturing. Obviously, Chris Tufton has done a good job of holding himself out to all the voters in SW St. Elizabeth and not only to the 'labourites'. Indeed, it is politicians like Chris that Jamaica needs, politicians who put the people of Jamaica first and not just the political fanatics, genetically connected and loud-mouthed supporters.

Politics needs a new breed of politicians. For too long, the resources of the state have been used to attract voter support and as a feeding tree for the politicallyconnected. Politics has not done Jamaica proud and everywhere politicians are criticised, quite rightly, for the wreck Jamaica has become. The professional politicians have led the poor and vulnerable to believe they can depend on politics for virtually everything, and they do. The umbilical cord of political dependency seems to stretch from birth to death, where politicians are expected to shower gifts at birth and funeral grants at death. Jamaica cannot continue like this, it is time we teach our people to stand on their two feet, even while we create the conditions and opportunities for their improvement and advancement.

Over the next few months, Jamaica must determine whether to continue on its present dismal path primarily through weak and popular leadership or change direction to give our people hope and a better tomorrow. Every decent Jamaican has a duty to help Jamaica make the right decision.