PNP Needs Fresh Leadership. To all my comrades, it is time to address the need for change in PNP leadership. Let’s move past the unfounded claims of JLP theft and focus on the future.
Our elections are now safer than those in the US. Various local and international organizations observe and protect the ballots.
The PNP as an organization did not lose the elections. I put the blame squarely on Mark Golding and Dayton Campbell for the loss.
For example, everyone knows that the Jamaican people do not favor Dayton Campbell. Additionally, his rise to General Secretary did not sit well with many loyal members of the Party.
The Jamaican people have a strong affection for Mark Golding. Yet, his lineage poses a challenge for many. This is due to the historical context of slavery.
The JLP strategically exploited this concern. They introduced the slavery narrative during the campaign. The party also called attention to Mark’s dual citizenship. And labeled him ‘Massa Mark’ and demanded that he renounce his British citizenship.
But they didn’t stop there. They further insisted that no one seeking to become Prime Minister of Jamaica should be a descendant of enslavers. Jamaica is a former British Colony. Mark, who was born in Jamaica to British parents, ultimately relinquished his British citizenship.
But that was not enough to put him in Jamaica House. The PNP made a lot of gains compared to the last Parliamentary election. Nevertheless, there is no reward for second place in politics.
It is unfair to tie Mark Golding to slavery and colonialism, yet all is fair in politics. The painful memories of colonialism stay fresh in the minds of many Jamaicans.
Still, Mark and Campbell ran a reasonably good campaign, but they made several rookie errors.
Mark and the PNP leadership made a significant blunder during the campaign. They stated that a new PNP administration would hold Andrew Holness—who is black—accountable for corruption.
I believe that statement fired up the JLP base. Politics can be a tribal affair. People tend to protect their own. These are some of the reasons why I am calling for a shake-up in PNP leadership.