Time for a New Nation

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Betty Ann Blaine, convenor of Jamaica's newest political party, says the New Nation Coalition (NNC) movement intends to tap into the pool of uncommitted voters and those calling for a change in government.

"The first order of business is to win hearts and minds and to win the trust of the Jamaican people," said Blaine, a self-confessed former supporter of the People's National Party (PNP).

Yesterday's launch of the NNC, at the Wyndham Hotel in New Kingston, signalled another attempt by a third party to break the stranglehold the PNP and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have enjoyed in Jamaican politics.

The youth arms of both major political parties welcomed Blaine's move.

"It will certainly make Jamaica's democracy the better. It is important that the people of Jamaica have as many options as possible on our political landscape," said Delano Seiveright, president of JLP affiliate Generation 2000.

According to Seiveright, "It is high time that civil society take more of a serious interest in Jamaican politics, as it serves as a primary avenue to effecting real far-reaching and fundamental change."

Damion Crawford, president of the People's National Party Youth Organisation, said the move to start the NNC was a commendable one.

"Anybody who starts a third party in Jamaica is a brave person based on the history of our politics. However, when you look at the polls, the situation is ripe for a third party but I don't know if the people are ready," Crawford said.

He added: "I am very appreciative of her getting involved in the political process and not being like some others who just sit on the fence and curse. She is 10 times better than 90 per cent of the others who just talk and are not willing to change."

Third parties struggle

Blaine, a historian, was a vice-president and founding member of the Antonette Haughton-led United People's Party (UPP) which was born in 2001 and died soon after the 2002 general election.

Third parties have struggled in Jamaica. The 2007 general election, for example, was cruel to candidates from the two non-traditional parties. In those elections, independent candidates combined to poll 775 votes, 354 of which were polled by the National Democratic Party (NDM).

The NDM flattered to deceive in the 1997 election as it failed to win a seat despite much hype. Its failure led to the eventual resignation of its president, Bruce Golding, who later returned to the JLP and then became prime minister after 2007 elections.

Blaine said the failure of the UPP and the inability of new parties to break through will not deter the NNC.

"We don't look at failure. We know that since that time (the start of the UPP), things have got much worse in this country and that people want a change. I think the time is ripe and the time is right for a new message, a new mission and a new engagement, and that is what we are focusing on," Blaine said.

The NNC, supported by members of the Diaspora and the Church, says it expects to be a major political force when the next general elections, constitutionally due in 2012, are called.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com

New Nation rolls out

IT DOES not have a party song, an anthem or even a select group of core leaders. Yet, Betty Ann Blaine, convenor of Jamaica's newest political party, expects it to be around for many years.