Mark Wignall | Bright, inventive and ready

If most of us who have accepted that the ‘80s were special times sociologically and politically, we will therefore accept that any number would play. In the natural push to be the leader of the pack and head of the widespread herd, political war would be generated because that is what was expected.

When Pearnel Charles Sr was a young man, he found cause with Errol Anderson, another Labourite with union experience. Okay, that was then seen as an integral part of what was then seen as true union solidarity.

After Pearnel and his cause foundered on the slippery political sands in Jamaica, younger ones came about, but they, bredren of mine, really did not have the political depth needed, or probably the commitment was missing. Doubt could have generated that.

I have decided to explore the possibility that we have no idea what the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) have in their plans to attract the new voter, a part of the younger age grouping. I have seriously considered that, if the PNP wanted to push back against the JLP, they should probably demonstrate that the party is building from the inside out.

One can castigate the late Eddie Seaga and accuse him of being mostly too cold, but it would be grossly unfair to label him as the sort who would shroud his knowledge and vast experience from others in their climb.

It seemed not so long ago that Audrey Marks and Delano Seiveright were only senators in the JLP. Now, they are both ministers. Any political party would be overjoyed to have these two individuals on their team.

At this time, it is most difficult to say with certainty that the JLP will secure a third straight term. The other item that is worth mentioning is this. How does a political party which is deeply hungry for younger voters get those voters without aptly demonstrating that the party understands that responsibility.

A part of that larger responsibility is showing up the best of your future. I speak of Minister Marks and Seiveright in glowing terms. Minister Marks has spent so many years abroad in the diplomatic services, while Seiveright is the perfect person to tweak niggling problems in sections of the hospitality industry.

Being added to the PM’s executive is a really big thing I have stated that we should not be scared to laud young politicians who have demonstrated that they fully fit into the future.

Think of it! PNP President Mark Golding must have more than a closet full of bright young people willing to step forward, but someone whose politics has evolved beyond rearing goats.

I am not putting down anyone but, if your newest slate of senators reads like a list of experts in medicine, education, and public policy at the highest level, I would suggest that these individuals should be lauded.

Dr Elon Thompson, expert in urology, Marlon Morgan, education expert, and, of course, the man I wrote about a few weeks ago, who I knew from he was 18, Delano Seiveright.

A few weeks ago, in conversation with a political friend, orange to his core, he promised to submit to me his lots of young up-and-comers in the PNP. We were both convinced that the party to win the next elections would be the party to win the youth vote. (25 to 44).

And, of course, that worked two ways. The party had to push forward its brightest, most committed set of politicians. Not those sitting out a term or two and hoping for the economic best, but those embedded in service to the people.

A few years ago, the late Eddie Seaga told me, and also made a pronouncement, that he had told younger politicians in his party that they should attain economic success before launching into parliamentary pursuits.

WHO IS DR ANDREW HOLNESS?

I have been told that Holness is a version of Eddie Seaga. Basically a political strategist, thinking about the next elections and big into succession planning. Older folk may remember it differently.

We ignore at our own political peril the sort of urgent reforms that Holness says he is seeking, public investment and procurement processes to lessen delays and waste. Minister Marks at the helm. Based on storm clouds coming at us from the North, the twin turbo of Senator Marks in the diplomatic services and Senator Seiveright, who has been effectively Minister Bartlett’s right-hand man for many years now.

Based on what I have been hearing at street level, there is a great need to encourage fresh, proven talent and injection of that talent into both political administrations. The JLP has made a jump start on the PNP.

I have conducted numerous surveys in many hotels in the 1990s. I know many of the pressing problems which burdened the hospitality sector. There have been many sweet-mouthed executives who have filled the air with promises,

It is a fact that the young, 40-year-old tourism expert played a lead role in resolving worker satisfaction in sections of the hotel sector, to ease tensions and end public protest.

At this time, with confusion blowing from the North, a firm hand must be on the hospitality sector, which may once again turn out to be our economic lifeline, even through the hell of COVID-19.

PM Holness prides himself on identifying talent and building on it. Will his effort to bring a new set of bright and talented people into the JLP work out at the next elections?

Next week, I will list those who I have identified as the best and most capable in the youth cadre in the PNP.

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com