Mark Wignall | How much more of the leaders do they want?

In the mid 1980s when many of our political leaders had not yet decided what percentage of Michael Manley they should be, it was accepted that the People’s National Party’s (PNP’s) Michael Manley was everyone’s ideal of the complete politician.

The poor man saw him as the saviour that political fairy tales spun long after dusk.

Two years after the 1980 political beating handed to the PNP by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), I spoke with then prime minister, Eddie Seaga. Whenever we sat down to discuss matters, there was a theme that he always returned to: the ease by which just a mere visit to one of his least popular candidates secured him the victory.

Some were convinced that Seaga was jealous of Michael because that was a quality that Michael could not stretch himself to reach. Frankly, I do not believe that Seaga had much time for those petty matters.

In 2025, I am sensing that both political leaders are hoping for a mass reach-out of people to give their parties much more than they have attained so far. It is much harder on the PM. Each time he steals more than a bit of time and late 2020 comes back to him, he goes back to that great political victory.

In the extended diary of the PNP, nothing like that exists. What that means is that Mark Golding can afford to throw it all against the all and care little what will stick and spin up into a political storm.

Because of that, both political parties are also trying to rehash contests that had long been decided at constituency level. Surely there can never be another time to make a decision to install Delano Seiveright as the next person to stand in for the veteran Karl Samuda in North Central St Andrew (NCSA).

It is no secret that PM Holness is a bit unsettled in terms of certain candidates and, as a result, also unsettled in making a decision on calling the election. Once that near certainty is taken away from him, it places him in the circle where his masculinity is reduced.

I have moved around in that constituency more than any other in any St Andrew constituency. Like a few others of those types, the poor areas are just a minute or two away from the more wealthy areas.

The key in winning those areas is in taking both the economically depressed areas and those dwellings with swimming pools in the back.

Currently, Seiveright has those two blocs ‘locked away’, as they would say in politics.

I have not seen any interloper that would create undue political trouble for the bright young man in NCSA.

The thing that I like about the contest in NCSA is that the young 40-year-old Seivewright has covered just about all the angles in his approach. For example, he has not brought about enmity between himself and Christian Tavares-Finson, someone else seeking the seat.

Suffice it to say, it would be most difficult to find any councillor or mere party worker who does not support the bright young man.

SEIVERIGHT’S ELEVATION AND SAMUDA’S U-TURN

Let us remember that Seiveright was unanimously elected deputy chairman, signalling grassroots confidence. However, Samuda then reversed his decision to elevate Seiveright, it seems, stating he would run again — likely in response to the mounting chaos and uncertainty.

One got the sense that the prime minister appeared to act decisively, moving Seiveright into the Senate and as a minister — roles he had essentially been performing as a senior advisor to Minister Bartlett. This may have been a strategic move to both recognise Seiveright and create space for Tavares-Finson to build a base.

WHEN WILL BE THE ELECTION?

In the summer would be the ideal time for the elections, the JLP veteran said. “So, where is the PM’s head” I asked.

“The PM is overthinking this thing too much. And he is overworking too many of his key people.”

As far as he was concerned, September was the ideal time. Just send out the message from May and have the constituencies ready by then. It can’t be just a waiting game. He has to put on his big boy hat and step up. Now, now, not next month.

It is becoming obvious that the PNP is walking into any little space that the JLP has allowed to be made open. One JLP stalwart complained to me last week that he can ‘feel’ the strength of the PNP growing.

When I asked him what he meant, he stated that his friends in the party are demonstrating more commitment.

So, which party would you give the edge now? I would give the edge to the JLP if the elections are held in September. If in June to August, then, I say, the PNP.

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