Political debates: do the voters really care?
Written by Jermaine Evans
With political analysts concluding that Bruce Golding of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) beat Portia Simpson Miller of the People’s National Party (JLP) in the leadership debate on Saturday night, JamaicaElections.com went on the road today to gauge the public reaction.
We wanted to find out whether the analysts right in their assessment, and more importantly, does the ‘result’ make any difference to voters whom we spoke to in the inner city Kingston communities of Maxfield Avenue and Tel Aviv?
Photo by Dayne Morrison: Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporting Maxfield Avenue residents Peter (left) and Rocky (right).
Not to mention that, as demonstrated by United States President George W. Bush, you can be viewed immediately afterwards as having ‘lost’ the debate, yet still win at the polls - when it really matters. This is what our respondents said:
Peter, a 32-year-old Labourite from Maxfield Avenue said that the debates did not change anything that he thought about his party. “A Bruce wi sey all di way … my father used to make bells, all now him still do it, so mi nah put down my bell,” he said. “Bruce won the debate.”
Rocky, 35, was standing beside Peter in his ‘Bruce’ t-shirt’ and said about the debate: “Mi did a listen still but mi never really care b’coz a Labour mi sey straight … a Labour party mi sey since mi born, no debate can’t change that.”
Over in Tel Aviv Ma, 58, was ironing her clothes for the next working day. “I born as a PNP, I grow as a PNP and I will die as a PNP,” she said. “Bruce sey, when him win wi (People’s National Party) ah go have heart-attack, an if him really win fi true, ME, as a die-hearted PNP goodly have heart-attack.”
Tia, 24 was lounging in Ma’s room with her crew at the time. “PNP, all di way … Well I nuh really care bout them debate but what I would like for Jamaica, when all this is over, in terms a anybody win, me’da like everybody come under one, me nuh waan no more two-party ting, jus one-party a govern di ting.”
August 13th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
well the ones who care about their future
August 13th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
It is possibly very hard for outsiders to overstand the Garrison Mentality, I do and I sympathize with it.
Anyway no to any coming together.
August 14th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Political socialization and political identification with a given political party as early as pre-adolescent development continuing into adulthood is extremely strong in certain communities.Consequently,debates are immaterial to residents of politically segmented, politically cleavaged,politically tribalised, and garrisonized communities. Also,the politics of clientilism,the politics of fear and intimidation in these quasi-states inhibit independent and free thinking.Hence,if some residents are even interested in deviating from the political and ideological values of a given garrison for whatever reason or reasons, they are severely constrained in doing so.Garrisons are the cancer of Jamaican politics and political culture.Unfortunately,as opposed to decreasing, they are actually metastasizing across the political landscape.Notwithstanding,there are many people in these quasi-states that/who are extremely cognizant of and do care as to what is taking place with respect to the debates and what is going on in their communities and the nation-state in general,but are so controlled by the dons, area leaders, political goons,political oportunist and others of that ilk,that they are extremely reluctant to speak or behave in a manner contrary or counter to the political values and philosophy of the given garrison, and of course for obvious reasons.So, if political debates are even influential, they are viewed somewhat dispassionately and disinterestedly.De-garrisonization is imperative.The monumental and phenomenal failure of Jamaican politics is the development of the politics of segmentation.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:24 am
The people of Jamaica have themselves to blame for what ever state the country has ended up with because of their non-chalant behaviour in listening to anything other that what they support, after this election should the PN win they have no one to blame for the plundering of the country but themselves
August 14th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Bush lose 3 debates and won de elections . If Portia gets out her base , dawg nyam bruce suppa
August 15th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Butty Scott Says:
August 14th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Bush lose 3 debates and won de elections . If Portia gets out her base , dawg nyam bruce suppa
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I agree they have loved the poor so much they have created a ready made base…. just drop a few Nannys and Joshies and the deal is done!
August 15th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
It’s sad.
The only thing “sadder” is the fact that I am not surprised at people who would vote JLP or PNP no matter what.
I have a dream that one day my people will learn to put country above party. How we will get rid of this problem eludes me.