The Peoples National Party's (PNP) 85th Annual Conference: Mark Golding, “Time Come”.
In Jamaica, there are two main political parties: the PNP, led by Mark Golding, who are presently in opposition to the Jamaican Labour Party, which is currently the sitting government.
If the successful turnout of The PNP 85th Annual Conference was a marker on which to predict the impending general or local government elections, the officers of the JLP must be nervously biting their nails over the prospect of winning a third term. However, as the history of the 1980 general election, where 150,000 Comrades attended a rally at Sam Sharp Square for a pre-election rally and felt that it was a done deal for the PNP, only to be routed by a huge defeat at the general elections a few days later by Edward Seaga of the JLP. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica, from 1980 to 1989, and the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party from 1974 to 2005.
Notwithstanding, the National Arena was the venue where the conference was filled by orange-clad PNP supporters and there was an ominous feeling. As a result, the start of the conference had to be delayed by two hours. When kingstonmouth.com arrived at 12 midday the entrance door had already locked in health and safety reasons and there were about the same number of patrons outside who had to content themselves with having a separate function. They were being entertained by a huge sound system playing party songs and revelling in the carnival political atmosphere.
As I soaked up the atmosphere outside, the pervading consensus by senior PNP acolytes was that it brought back memories of the Michael Manley era when conferences were packed to capacity. Looking around, my gut instincts told me that there was a sense of urgency from the people; they were determined to undo the wheels of the JLP wagon that had failed to deliver the much-promised false kite promise of prosperity that they needed to cut adrift with their PNP votes at the next election. Other working class PNP supporters bemoaned the difficult economic hardship cast against the backdrop of huge undeserving parliamentarians' increases in salary.
Had it not been that I had a security pass by the VIP entrance, I might not have been able to get inside the conference. When I entered, I was lucky to bump into reggae Artist”Buju Banton”, beaming with delight in his orange t-shirt. His attendance was a huge celebrity endorsement for the PNP: the inscription on his orange t-shirt gave away his dual intentions, as it bore the emblem of his newly released album “Born for Greatness”.
Inside the conference, I received a heartfelt welcome and a beaming smile from my cousin Patricia Duncan-Sutherland, President of the PNP women’s movement and candidate aspirant for South-East St Ann. We exchanged brief pleasantries, and I proceeded backstage, where I had a privileged view of the proceedings.
It was my first ever PNP conference, after parting company with the JLP two and a half years ago on ideological grounds. Making the transition from being a Labour Party supporter became easier than I had imagined as the PNP paired with my progressive political views; I grew up in a PNP family and my mother was a long-serving PNP delegate. The occasion also brought back floods of childhood romantic emotions - I wonder if Mother was still alive, what she would make if it. My memories of attending political meetings with her as a child and meeting the charismatic Michael Manley, who had a way with words, were still to this day etched on my mind. Working as a member of the PNP UK to align its communication strategy allowed me to learn the culture of the PNP. This was a seamless transition with the support of PNP UK, and it felt like a homecoming occasion. Soaking up the atmosphere as a paid-up member of the PNP felt surreal but necessary.
By the time I snapped out of my romantic drift, I was awakened by the voice of MP aspirant for Western Westmorland, Ian Hayles, riling up the conference floor about a slate of JLP scandals and incompetence in government. I know why the PNP still holds him in high regard despite losing his seat in Hanover. He is a compelling speaker that can convince a chair to get rid of its legs. I look forward to him dethroning JLP candidate Moreland Wilson in Westmoreland Western. So I took a photograph with him just for the campaign trail.
In between raised eyebrows, photo opportunities and several bouts of congratulatory back-slapping hugs, handshakes welcomed me home to the PNP fold. It became obvious that popular charismatic Senator Damian Crawford was present but noticeably absent from the speaking lectern. This stirred whispers as to why he was not invited to speak and musings of still a leadership rift within the party. However, these musings were drowned out by those suggesting that his time would come down the road. The consensus was that this was Mark Golding's time to shine - which is my belief - going into any election, the party needs unity.
Meanwhile, on the podium, Damien Crawford looks restless and penitent like a spoilt kid without his toy car. Who could envisage a PNP conference without him speaking? Surely, he knows how to rile up a political crowd by outlining how the JLP stole the PNP cabbage patch at the last General election, but it might be good for the party's unity and his character he said nothing this time around. As for Lisa Hanna, the MP and shadow Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, she was pretty there, but silent.
I did not take long for the man of the moment to arrive at the lectern to loud cheers, the blowing of vuvuzelas, and a mass chorus of approval from the conference floor. Flanked by his wife, he delivered a memorable conference speech.
Mark Golding, the President of the PN, used the conference to highlight the economic hardship felt by ordinary Jamaicans. He criticized Prime Minister Andrew Holiness's government for allegedly tolerating corruption. In a speech that lasted for nearly an hour and a half, Golding called for full support for the Integrity Commission to hold public officials accountable.
He spoke about the burden of crime, social exclusion and the need for a more equitable society with access to public spaces and employee share ownership. He also highlighted the PNP's commitment to the Employment Share Ownership Plan (ESOP), emphasizing the importance of workers having a stake in enterprise ownership, which he helped craft with former Prime Minister Michael Manley in the 1990s.
Furthermore, he spoke at length about early childhood education investment and using the Jamaican language to advance our learning and to secure better overall educational outcomes. He announced that if the PNP forms the next government, he will eliminate the Tertiary level Educational loan guarantor, making it easier for low-income families to access higher education. Additionally, Golding pledged to support the micro and small business sectors and create special enterprise zones for their development.
His recent conference speech has demonstrated how he has undeniably evolved into a confident and poised leader of the People's National Party. This recent speech was a testament to his growth and determination.
He passionately put forward the party's vision and policy priorities, but his body language exuded the confidence of a leader poised for victory in the upcoming general elections. Golding's unwavering commitment to accountability, his past involvement in significant legislative efforts like the Employment Share Ownership Plan (ESOP), and his focus on empowering small businesses all reflect his readiness to steer the PNP toward a brighter future. His assertive demeanour on that stage resonated with the idea that he is prepared to lead the PNP to success in the next general elections, instilling hope and optimism among party members and supporters alike.
Mr Golding's policies face a significant hurdle on the path to viability – he must unite the dissenting voices within the PNP (People's National Party). To secure a constitutional victory in the upcoming General Election, which is expected within the next 18 months, it is imperative for Golding to bridge the divisions within his party. These internal fractures and differences of opinion must be reconciled to present a united front to the electorate. Only through internal cohesion can Golding hope to effectively compete in the political arena and gain the support necessary to implement his policies and secure electoral success.
Donovan Reynolds is the CEO of Kingstonmouth.com He is a trained Diplomat, Human Rights Activist, and Communication Consultant. This article is edited by Ann Smith, a British Educator and Social Activist. Kingstommouth.com is a charitable organization that has been in existence for over nine years. We have an interest in Politics, Human Rights, and International Development Issues. Viewers wishing to comment on this article may do so at the space provided on this blog. Alternatively, they can contact us at kingstonmouth63@gmail.com or on our Twitter or Facebook Page.
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