Edmond's campaign log - JLP took message of change islandwide

Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator

On July 26, 2006, the JLP oiled its election machinery and hit the campaign trail - a journey that started with a five-day tour of major towns across the island.

One year, one month and five days later, the JLP has traversed almost every nook and cranny of the 60 constituencies of Jamaica, taking its message of "change" to the people.

This reporter covered some of the rallies in the towns visited by Mr. Golding and his team, comprising a mixture of experienced politicians and a number of political neophytes.

Nearly all the rallies held by the JLP took on a carnival-like atmosphere, with the presentations by candidates interspersed with a combination of popular gospel, reggae and dancehall selections.

The PNP is known to have a superior political machinery when compared with its main opponent.

However, in the just-concluded election campaign, the JLP appeared to have reversed this trend, demonstrating this time around, strong organisational skills combined with a strategic and intense advertising and public-relations programme, that seemed to have gained large public appeal.

One of my main disappointments during this election campaign is the long delay by both major political parties in releasing their manifestos. This vacillation has robbed the electorate of the opportunity to delve deep into the plethora of recommendations and proposals put on the table by both parties.

Indeed, it was believed that a 'cat and mouse' game was being played by both parties, as they watched each other to see who would launch its manifesto first.

One key party functionary from the JLP told me that the party's apprehension to publish its manifesto was justified. The reason given was that its rival would seek to weave some of the JLP's proposals into its document.

Political rhetoric

The delay, however, in circulating the manifestos created a platform for a barrage of political rhetoric, name-calling and utterances that were at times unseemly.

The highlight of Mr. Golding's tour was the party's rally in Mandeville on July 2, where tens of thousands of Labourites crammed the town square.

Golding used the occasion to introduce his 60 candidates and made a wide-ranging presentation on inadequacies in the country's justice system, constitutional reform, the education system and plans to revolutionise the agriculture sector.

The main planks of the JLP's manifesto - free tuition at the secondary level and free health care for all Jamaicans - were recurring themes at every meeting Mr. Golding addressed.

The Bill Johnson polls published months before the election showed Mrs. Simpson Miller comfortably ahead of Mr. Golding in terms of her favourability ratings. This margin however, narrowed in recent polls.

Golding sought to put the popularity contest to rest when he responded to criticisms from political commentators who said he lacked charisma and could not be trusted.

Admitting that he was not a charismatic leader, Golding said he did not need charm to run the country, but had a vision which would provide a better standard of living for Jamaicans.

The country's number one problem - crime and violence - did not receive much attention by the political parties at their respective rallies.

Is it a lack of political will or a dearth of ideas among politicians why we have not heard workable solutions to tackle the scourge of crime?

What was obvious on the campaign trail was the 'bussing' of large number of supporters from various sections of the country to attend political rallies in different constituencies.

This created a façade, with outside support swelling the numbers in particular constituencies.

The final polls show the JLP leading the PNP going into tomorrow's election.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com