Beverley Anderson-Manley

We are accustomed, at election time, to see competitive party politics play out in particular types of ways. On the eve of the next general election in Jamaica, this is even more so. In spite of the number of seats that both parties have, the Parliament seems fairly equal in terms of vigour and energy. Often, what we see is Westminster competitive party politics at its best. In addition, an increasingly competitive media keeps the Jamaican population here and in the diaspora aware of many of the critical issues.

There is so much at stake in these elections. The people of Jamaica are looking at two completely different types of leaders. Bruce Golding largely represents what is termed in the political science literature the bureaucratic/technocratic leader, while Portia Simpson Miller represents the messianic/charismatic/populist leader.

Throughout our modern political history, Jamaica has been served by different types of leaders who all want to do something for 'poor people.' This is expressed in different ways. 'Poor people' are called the 'marginalised' or the 'underprivileged,' sometimes the 'irredeemables.' Whatever the term used, our leaders all want the kinds of results that will allow for the majority of women, men and children receiving basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, education) and beyond that, the capacity to live full lives.

Poverty declines by 2%

There is no doubt that significant progress has been made as we have seen poverty on the decline. Just last week, Dr. Wesley Hughes, director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) pointed out that the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) reveals that poverty has declined by two per cent in Jamaica - moving from 16.9 per cent in 2004 to 14.8 per cent in 2005. This is nothing to feel comfortable about. But, as Dr. Hughes himself notes, it is difficult to reduce poverty below 10 per cent because of the high levels of uneducated people who are challenging to train. He further points out that "most of those persons will only make significant gains if economic growth is very rapid and significant in terms of construction and domestic agriculture, both of which (need workers who) are 'non-trainable.'

In addition, it is important to emphasise our increasing dependency on remittances. As the Survey of Living Conditions confirms, remittance inflows is one of the factors that contributed to the decline in poverty in the country. The JSLC also points to declining remittance inflows in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. Jamaica cannot continue to depend on remittances to get the poor out of their poverty and dependency. We have to find a way for that rapid economic growth that Dr. Hughes talks about. We have to find more jobs in construction and agriculture for those who are uneducated and in many respects, 'untrainable.'

The Mandate

Let us challenge ourselves as a nation to scrutinise the policies and programmes of both our leaders, Portia Simpson Miller and Bruce Golding, to see the extent to which their programmes provide for economic growth and jobs for those trained, trainable and 'untrainable.' The PNP administration has been in office since 1989. Portia Simpson Miller's administration is a mere six months old and she is seeking her own mandate. There are certain limitations that remain, whoever is in power. So one of the things that voters should look for is who is best able to bring a level of creativity to the process that can mobilise the Jamaican people to engage in a type of development that enhances the lives of the majority who have no voice, who, therefore, feel that they have no power - that is, the most vulnerable in our society - who long for the basic necessities of life, taken for granted by many of our citizens.

Let us not so much question who is for the poor but who is able to demonstrate policies and programmes that can meet not only the immediate and practical needs of the majority but their long-term strategic interests.

Beverley Anderson Manley is a political activist, gender specialist and broadcaster. Email: BManley@kasnet.com