Heather Robinson

On Tuesday, I was present at a discussion with some businessmen and a Member of Parliament (MP) who is offering himself for re-election. This MP was on his way to Gordon House and had stopped to get some paraphernalia for the now ongoing election campaign. He is someone for whom I have some respect. In fact, I quite like him.

The discussion eventually turned to election night and who would emerge as the winner. We discussed what the current polls are saying and why one newspaper decided not to publish the results of a poll that its management team had commissioned. Eventually the discussion turned to leadership of both parties. By now you might have guessed that this MP was a member of the Opposition, and he is one whom I have never ignored or refused to greet whenever we meet. He is likeable.

I will not repeat what his election predictions are, but I will tell you that the way I have always responded to him, has not been the same for many others. Some of the persons who are seeking to be elected and re-elected are not well-liked, and if you are in the leadership of the party and fall among that unhappy band, then you are indeed in an unfortunate position.

Big turnout

On Monday, a newspaper story recalled a conversation between two People's National Party (PNP) supporters in Claremont the previous day. It appears that when the crowd of orange-clad supporters saw the motorcade with PNP President, Portia Simpson Miller and South East St. Ann candidate Lisa Hanna approaching, there was such a rushtowards the two women, that one remarked to the other 'Jesus Christ'. The other supporter responded "Is not Jesus Christ, is Lisa Hanna'. This brief conversation is of great importance, as it demonstrates many things about Jamaican politics.

Firstly, it is hard to believe that after three days of presence and work in South East St. Ann, so many supporters and members had turned out to welcome not only the president, but also to endorse Lisa Hanna's candidacy. There were old and young persons who found it necessary to run towards the advancing motorcade. What a sight!

One person who had previously expressed reservations about Miss Hanna's candidacy had only one problem that he could not solve. Enough buses, he said, were not available to take all who wanted to go to Brown's Town for the President's rally to present the candidates for St. Ann and Trelawny.

Responding to the right candidates

Jamaicans respond well to persons who can demonstrate care and affection. If you appear to behave as if you are 'nicer than me', they will rebuff you. If you come into their community and can understand their problems, and share with them in their daily experiences, then they warm to you. And if you are easy on their eyes, then that is an added plus.

Electors want to be able to trust their representatives. So, if you are afraid to send your 'girl children' to any activity that is being attended by a particular candidate, then that is another negative. Young electors will not support persons whom their grandparents and parents tell them were once an architect and active supporter of garrison politics, donmanship and plain criminal behaviour. Neither is it good for a political party for a candidate to be referred to as a 'gunman dress up in a jacket'.

There is no doubt that these elections are going to be close, but electors have their own methodologies of choosing the person with the winning edge. One can only hope that their choices will be able to face the test of time.