Letter Of The Day | PNP Needs More Women And Youth Representation

By: Admin

Image caption: Rudolph Brown Dr Peter Phillips, (centre) Opposition Leader for People’s National Party speaks to the media looking on (from left) are Phillip Paulwell, Mikael Phillips, Lisa Hanna, Damion Crawford and Danna Scott Mottley.

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Over the years, the People’s National Party (PNP) has failed to modify and enhance its message to the Jamaican people. They have lost touch with the average Jamaican citizen, and that was reflected in the recent election. More and more Jamaicans are interested in results rather than promises. The old culture of catering to the common folks only when elections are near is starting to fade. Even the most vulnerable among us are starting to notice this trend that some of these politicians play on the minds of the people.

As time passes, more women in this country are making positive changes in almost every field that this country has to offer. However, women have been under-represented in politics. Over the years, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has shown not only interest in the concerns of young people, but also the concerns of women, who are as competent and sometimes more so than their male counterparts.

It should not be a surprise when the JLP’s 14 women candidates won their seats. In total, 18 seats have been secured by women in George William Gordon House. The other four are from the PNP.

Women and youth in Jamaica are becoming more strident and influential in the political arena. The People’s National Party’s failure to bring fresh, new faces in their campaign resulted in their loss.

The way forward for the PNP is listening and catering to the concerns of the people. One of the many problems they face is the under-representation of women and youth.

If that is not addressed by the next election, then the results may be similar to this general election.

DAMALIO POWELL

damalio101@gmail.com