Mark Wignall | Our politicians are reading us the wrong way

Robert Nesta Morgan should learn how to give more power to the already powerful name he has. As the minister responsible for information, he is quite au fait with the power of raw political propaganda, a state dear to his heart.

When fire came close to singeing his tail, he suggested that ‘the people’ are not interested in the twists and turns generated by the Speaker of the House raining dark clouds on the Clerk of the House. Which is the junior minister hoping that the people’s main interests are confined to goodie bags handed out at elections.

One reader emailed me last week. “The people are interested. They see a government of arrogance, indifference, entitlement and cruelty. The Clerk deserved none of this. And the public can see that. Mr Morgan hasn’t quite caught up with Jamaica’s demand for a better politics.”

Another reader stripped our history to the bare bones. Without a care as to whose political emotions were hurt. “Every JLP [Jamaica Labour Party] government rescues the country, then shoots itself in the foot, loses, PNP takes over, mash up the economy/ country, JLP returns, stabilises the situation; and regrettably we inch, stumble forward, instead of soaring.”

Another reader suggested that there was a bit of Jekyll and Hyde interplay by the Speaker of the House, Mrs Juliet Holness. “She tried to obliterate the Clerk’s good reputation and decades of solid, competent service in one letter. If the Clerk was so terrible, how was she able to be the Clerk for so long?

“The Speaker may well be the secret sauce that brings down the JLP in the next election. She seems very desirous of more power but not politically adept” he said.

“She is a politician.” I said. What’s wrong with an extra tonload of power?”

“Not when her husband is head of the JLP, boss of the Cabinet, and prime minister. How do we know if the PM is okay with that?”

“So,” I said to him. Is it possible that the PM’s wife engineered her way to more power without his urgings and assistance. And, even if she did, since when have Jamaican women sought the permission of their menfolk if they want a shot of soaring higher than the man?”

“Think of this,” said the reader. Just one day after the scathing letter ripping the recently retired Clerk of Parliament was made public and distributed to all 62 members of Parliament, she (the former Clerk to Parliament) was presented by the Speaker with a plaque praising her, and gifts. After trying to destroy her reputation. Fi real? That is utter rubbish and stupid.”

WHAT’S THE SENSE OF REPORTING IT?

I pulled over by the wooden shop and saw the usual people. Taxi drivers, construction site workers, domestic workers, hustlers of all sorts.

“Di gun bwoi dem come inna one Probox. Dem drive up ya so hut because dem know sey 1000 volt wire ya, so dem tun back and juk dung a likkle woman whey just start a cookshop. Don’t even tink sey dem get $4,000. Plus a phone.”

My contact near to the Naggo Head area tells me of a problem with a district close to the area. “About every two week, a man get shot inna di area. Because a dis, when all weekend come and mothers know dem haafi fine school money fi Monday, dat mash up because she can’t set up har likkle stall and mek a ten gran. Di road tun ghost town by 6:30.”

It’s a gully back community close to the Red Hills Road area. ‘’Dem draw whey a girl di odder day and handle har bad. But man inna wi area ketch dem. One more year from now, no police can’t find dem.” I suggested to the young man talking to me that I didn’t want to hear anymore.

SERCHING FOR MARK GOLDING

The conversation had me transfixed, for about five minutes. “Mi can’t si miself a support any a di JLP and the PNP [People’s National Party] but, if push come to shove, mi wi vote PNP,” he said. He was about 45 and the perennial spliff was hanging from his lips as if it were stapled on at the bottom.

“Why would you vote PNP?” I asked.

“Just fi si a change.” On a suspicion, I asked him, “Who is di leader of the PNP.?”

His brow became furrowed as if he were in deep thought. He shook his hand like a schoolchild trying to figure out 50 per cent of 100.

“Mark Golding,” I said.

“Yes, yes,” he said.

Immediately I saw dangers ahead for the JLP, even though it could still be considered early days till the general elections. It is usual that potential change voters are moved by leadership choice. As I have said before, just about every adult Jamaican knows Andrew Holness. And, recently, his better half too.

But offering voting support to the PNP with only a blind date arranged, that ought to mean something, I think. For the JLP’s sake I hope not.

It is no great secret that the fear of crime and poor employment outcomes (low pay) are the items troubling most Jamaicans in 2024. Poor roads are viewed as aspirational instead of being achievable. One lady from Great House Circle has stopped calling me about the horrible state of the roads there.

“Seriously, I don’t want to trouble you anymore. I know it is impossible. And I don’t expect that a change of government will do it. Jamaica depletes one’s soul, one’s spirit. I am convinced that the politicians can make some sense out of this. It is the physical embodiment of mental slavery. And it gives them a kick, a high, a constant burst of pleasure.”

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com