THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WRITE this article in reference to utterances that I have both heard and read made by the JLP, it's youth groups and other affiliated groups after the local government elections recently. These individuals were claiming praise for themselves, by saying it was as a result of their strategic and aggressive campaigning that they contributed to the JLP that lead their party to victory.
I've found those utterances to be most ludicrous, the victory had nothing to do with those groups. Take a very close look at the result of the elections, the results were the most marginal I think I have ever seen. In some instances the victory for some candidates were as low as a mere two votes.
The victory had nothing to do with any youth or affiliated groups, if such was the case then the margin of victory should have been greater. The plain truth is this: the supporters of the ruling People's National Party (PNP) did not turn out in large numbers to cast their ballots. I think many are upset and disappointed with their (our) political party over some issues and policies of our party, so they chose to abstain.
On the other hand, the JLP which has been in the political wilderness for many years (18 years for a local government victory and to date 14 years for a general election victory)., So hungry for power, their supporters came out in large numbers to participate at the poll. That was one of the main reasons that led the JLP to victory. The campaign that both political parties put on was very low-keyed and I don't think it had much effect on the electors.
I am, etc.,
FRANKLIN FRANCIS
Sav La Mar
Westmoreland
