Want to run for a seat? We'll take anyone.

by Gary Spaulding, on the campaign trail

Both the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP) finally completed candidate election last week as the advancing general election increases the tempo in the political arena.

In so doing, the parties have highlighted their contempt and magnified their disdain for constituents.

That they have always displayed disrespect for thinking members of the electorate to vote for the candidates of their choice in constituencies where they reside is a moot point.

In the traditionally leader-centric political environment that is Jamaica, it is clear that some political leaders are still clinging to the notion that their popularity is the exclusive factor that influences victory at the polls.

Acutely aware that the existing electoral tenure would finally come to an end in September 2012, both parties have been talking of a general election for quite a while.

There were lingering suggestions that, despite differing views which prevailed in the PNP, in the aftermath of the 2007 polls, the leadership had never really accepted the results of the general election.

When that failed, and even backfired (read: Sharon Hay-Webster's defection to the JLP), the Manatt-Dudus fiasco re-energised the fight for state power.

Not to be outdone, the JLP, aware that time was its enemy after being assailed by the PNP, was also formulating strategies to stave off the onslaught from an unyielding Opposition.

A careful selection of caretakers was, therefore, ignored by both parties.

Sadly, the PNP's attack lacked creativity and was fixated on the JLP's weaknesses as a Government and not the PNP's strength as an administration-in-waiting.

So, as the two parties engaged in the battle for supremacy, adequate attention was not paid to candidate selection, despite the rhetoric.

It's been two years, at least, since the PNP announced the establishment of an internal Integrity Commission.

Over the period, there have been unconfirmed reports that there were political aspirants on whom PNP's Integrity Commission frowned.

However, the recommendations of the Integrity Commission could be vetoed by PNP President Portia Simpson Miller.

Uncertainties stemming from concerns raised by the Integrity Commission affected at least three constituencies. They were St Andrew East Rural; St Andrew West Central; and St Elizabeth North East. There may have been others, but these were high on the political radar.

Dawdling and dithering

Although St Andrew East Rural and St Andrew West Central are deemed to be competitive seats, the PNP continued to dawdle and dither in finding suitable candidates until, within the last three or so weeks, when Damion Crawford was sent into St Andrew East Rural and Raymond Pryce thrown into St Elizabeth North East at short notice.

Both Crawford and Pryce have a presence in the PNP. The colourful Crawford was, up to April, president of the PNP Youth Organisation, and Pryce is chairman of the professional affiliate group, the Patriots.

Why were they not considered earlier to work the seats that the electorate could get to know them and what they have to offer?

These are examples of eleventh-hour installations. To the leadership, the candidates may be an insignificant element in the process, and it is their popularity that should do the trick.

JLP, PNP one and the same

The PNP must recall that, in 2007, it had many last-minute replacements of candidates.

These include Paul Buchanan, who was replaced in Westmoreland Central by Roger Clarke, who had signalled that he would quit representational politics, before having a change of heart.

Norman Horne, who left the JLP in 2005, replaced incumbent Member of Parliament Lenworth Blake as the PNP candidate in St Elizabeth South East in the 2007 general election. The strategy failed as Horne lost the seat, and the PNP, the general election.

And let's not even talk about the PNP's Paul Burke, a last-minute contender to face Karl Samuda in St Andrew North Central this year.

The JLP is no better, as it has not demonstrated any regard for constituency representation, having replaced three incumbent MPs in the last week.

In St Andrew East Rural, Joan Gordon-Webley replaced Joseph Hibbert; Saphire Longmore Dropinski took over St Andrew Eastern from Dr St Aubyn Bartlett; and Richard Creary swapped places with Tarn Peralto in St Mary South East.

Can you then fault members of the public who deride many MPs for what they truly are - 'missing persons'?

Gary Spaulding is a senior political affairs journalist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.