Letter of the Day | Popularity contest will not help win general election
Published:Friday | December 8, 2023 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Mark Golding has shown that if you unite and build your party you don’t need popularity to win. The next general election will be decided by the party and personalities. In the 2020 general election it was clear that Andrew Holness’ popularity carried some candidates over the line. It was also clear that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) attacks on Peter Phillips worked well, which led to a bitter leadership race in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic assisted with the defeat of Dr Peter Phillips.
Image-wise, Mark Golding is not excellent but clearly the people right now are not focused on image nor colour, what they care about is which party is better for them to choose to form the government in the next general election. Golding may not be as popular as Andrew Holness, but according to the polls his party is leading, and that is the most important factor now. Currently, Golding and the People’s National Party (PNP) have decided candidates for the next general election. It will be difficult for the PNP to win 18 seats but nothing is impossible. In my opinion, the 2024 general election will be about the Cs: candidates, crime, corruption and cost of living.
The JLP campaigned in 2016 with a prosperity message, in 2020 the party was given a second term. I hope 2024 is not third term loading because of whatever is being posted on social media.
Winning a third consecutive general election was only done by P.J. Patterson in 1993, 1997 and 2002, and that was possible when the Edward Seaga-led JLP was in an internal conflict. The current conflict in the PNP seems to be basically over and they seem to be united now.
The Jamaica Labour Party need to focus on taking on the People’s National Party by highlighting their accomplishments in two terms they have been in power and compare their performance to all governments post-1962. The JLP can stop the PNP momentum by winning the upcoming local government elections, renew the JLP by having by-elections in South Trelawny, North East St Ann and South West St Catherine.
The Jamaica Labour Party MPs need to be aware that this time incumbency and the leaders coat-tails may not be enough to carry them over the line. The JLP proposing to raise the income tax threshold to over $2.5 million will be an ammunition for the party. I hope they don’t wait for long to implement this, as it might be seen as a move to gain popularity before the general election.
TEDDYLEE GRAY
Ocho Rios, St Ann