Mark Wignall | PNP on shaky ground

By way of YouTube, last week I heard a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) intellectual and pragmatist refer to the fullness of the JLP as ‘governmental ‘ administration instead of ‘ruling’ administration as I call it. I do so because political power is more akin to state capture than it is to guiding the state into its most socially and economically efficient.

There are more than a few powerful members of the private sector who see workers as chaff to be exploited economically. Years ago I was in the presence of some of them and their powerful political friends when one spoke most disdainfully of union members. He laughed as his eyes caught mine briefly.

Hell, there was nothing I cared to do apart from being a fly on a safe spot on the wall. With the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) preparing for the decent push-off for now by certain powerful private sector players, the ruling JLP knows that as much as its own power has been checked, nevertheless three straight terms must stand for something strong and firm.

Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, like most politicians, was banking on a win even though he failed to recognise that he needed more people to know him, to see more of their own experiences in him. Maybe it just didn’t exist.

It is my belief that those in the hierarchy of the PNP will be in no rush to dislodge Golding from the leadership post because to do so may catapult into PNP leadership someone like Lisa Hanna, seemingly ready to give the party a little touch of populist and magical Michael Manley, only moving at her, say-so. Seems as if that fruit is getting riper.

The JLP and its leadership are more firmly footed than the PNP and its shaky leadership. As I previously implied the PNP is not at this time willing to trade in internal stability for a shot at new leadership. So it will pretend that Golding still enjoys the blessing of a vast majority of the hierarchy and the grassroots PNP supporters. As long as it can sell that notion and hopefully until it is overworn, the general public will pretend that vitality and the PNP can exist on the same page.

THE JLP BLOWING ITS OWN HORN

Last Wednesday someone from the JLP sent me the following.

“Congratulations to JLP Area Council 1 which did very well, retaining all seats they had entering the elections. Big congratulations to new MP Delano Seiveright for securing the largest majority (approximately 2,400 more votes than PNP competitor getting 63 percent of the vote) after Desmond McKenzie’s Edward Seaga base West Kingston constituency for JLP candidates.

“The rough transition from Samuda to Seiveright turned into pure class. The best man won.”

Years ago the very worst parts of North Central St. Andrew and North East St. Andrew shared borders with each other. When I say, ‘the very worst parts’ I was making reference to dirt lanes, zinc fence thoroughfares, board houses, fat croaking lizards, latrines, gunfire, police chases and dead bodies. It is really amazing that we can hold elections now while enjoying the sort of peace that we have grown used to courtesy of the entire revamping of Jamaica’s electoral and security systems.

The message continues. “Big congratulations to Fayval Williams and Juliet Cuthbert for holding off the heavy PNP campaigns against them. Big kudos to Juliet Holness who now turns East Rural St. Andrew into a JLP seat! And the biggest congratulations to Donovan Williams for turning the once PNP stronghold of Central Kingston back over to the JLP!”

It is obvious that although the JLP fought and lost 14 seats, it did so with class. At no stage did any JLP member roll over and play dead, even though the disappointment was cutting and most painful. As in Ann-Marie Vaz in East Portland. Another day will dawn, Ann-Marie.

UNDERPAID WORKERS

One main reason for progressive politicians, who are more pragmatists than socialist, to insist that the child from the poorest household is exposed to the best education available, is to ensure that as they reach young adulthood, they escape the low-wage trap.

Last Wednesday I approached the little wooden roadside stall and saw her seated on an empty PVC beer case. She greeted me although we had never seen each other before. In five minutes it was like we were old friends. “So, how much yu sweeping work pay?”

“Mi get $27,000 every fortnight.” We talked more. ‘Mi like whey Andrew a sey bout raising di minimum wage.” She had time to do extra work for the week. ‘Mi get $12,000 more. Mi eat good food wid vegetables,” she boasted.

Then the sad part. Her big son aged 32 died recently, shot dead. I bought her a huge can of energy drink. She had to leave to do another bit of work. She left with rake, broom and a bucket. I can understand why some small business persons may want to complain.

But, there is something cultural and it’s quite sad, about a low wage mentality when we fail to take into consideration the sales of places like wholesale stores and bars. Granted some will do poorly but many of them generate substantial cash during the day.

BLUE COLLAR LUCK

A decade or so ago, a swapping out took place. Many white collar workers in Jamaica found that a little elbow grease didn’t hurt. Taxi drivers, those in the artisan trades found that they could afford rental based on their earnings. Blue collar workers found new comfort in the new economy.

Maybe there was something about more than a glimpse of prosperity. Maybe PM Holness said the right things and maybe the vote was no fluke. But, as the expectations rise, based on the win, PM Holness may find himself encircled by what the win really means to the people.

The easy part for the PNP is that as Old Hope Road grows in unpopularity many of those who ran, who won, who lost can now enjoy bird watching or collecting stamps or enjoying a late evening vodka tonic. No one will be knocking on those Old Hope Road gates until junjo slime claims it.

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