Delroy Chuck

With just over 1,330,000 voters on the electoral list, less than one million, or fewer than 70 per cent will vote on election day, widely expected in July. For the electorate, the country is deeply divided, hurting badly, on the wrong path, and eagerly waiting for a vision of hope, peace and prosperity. After 18 years in Opposition, the challenge of the JLP is to charm and win the majority of voters in more than 30 constituencies.

For voters under 30 years, there is little recollection of a JLP government. They wouldn't appreciate how a JLP government improved the job market, stabilised the economy and, successfully, generated hope and optimism for a better Jamaica. The record shows the economy grew by over six per cent annually in the latter part of the 1980s and the people felt the country was on the right path, economically strong and confident in the country's future direction. How things have changed? The young people under 35 years are lucky to have a steady job and most for only a few weeks annually. The challenge of the JLP is provide a blueprint for job creation to give everyone hope.

Financial difficulties

For parents, especially in the rural areas and inner cities, cost sharing is simply a burden. Many have difficulty providing books, uniforms and the weekly school expenses.

Financial difficulties should never be obstacles in the path of educating our young people. It is better to give up on many other state expenses and invest in our young minds. We may not yet reach the stage to provide free school buses, books, lunches and other assistance to our young people but, at this juncture in our country's development, to charge tuition fees in schools is shameful. High school tuition fees must go and the word and promise of the JLP must be kept.

For the electorate, generally, the voters want to hear credible promises, plans and programmes that can take the country from its present dismal path to a brighter tomorrow. It will not be easy, as media and other commentators are not easily appeased, and the most credible plans are portrayed as desperate attempts to gain power. Yet, the JLP must be prepared to lay out a template for the growth and development of Jamaica that can reach into the nooks and crannies of every village. Only then can the people be persuaded and convinced that the JLP is ready to resume the governance of the country.

Regardless of polls, prophecies and propaganda, the people want a change after 18 years of dysfunctional government. The people are really tired of the excuses, corruption and waste. They see how well the genetically-connected and favoured contractors live even while the rest of the country yearns for better roads, housing and jobs. Yes, the PNP cares for its supporters, members and insiders but, must the rest of the country hurt? The PNP still operates like a socialist party, perhaps more like a cult, which explains why its supporters toe the line even when the party moves in the opposite direction. Just consider how the PNP removes well-loved local candidates and replaces them with outsiders and, after the initial turbulence, everybody falls in line.

The strength of the PNP is in its manipulation of the media, church, professional bodies and government agencies. Simply assess what has happened since Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller started attacking the press. Everybody seems to be afraid of her and wants to treat her delicately with velvet gloves, even while she rants and raves like a 'pocomania' preacher. In response, the TV stations now report mainly PNP meetings and crowds but the JLP will not complain - it is the right of the press to do their job. The challenge of the JLP is to remain honest, decent and credible - in time, undoubtedly, the message will get around.