Dear Editor,
I read with great interest your Sunday Observer (March 29, 2015) news article titled 'Holness outlines the JLP's philosophy'.
I like most of the principles outlined, such as the party's unwavering stance as a fiscally conservative party with a strong belief in a reasonably regulated free market economy.
I do not quite like the term used of the party being a 'social activist' one -- though distinct from a socialist party -- as the activism could suggest or potentially result in too liberal an approach to social issues. I would prefer the notion of a socially responsible party with a more moderate and realist approach to social issues.
Importantly, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) must be known as a party with an internally robust democratic culture; one in which rules and constitutional provisions are fully respected, and not one in which the leadership conveniently ignores same for whatever end.
I have long been hoping for the definition and articulation of a set of core guiding principles for the JLP around which every member can coalesce, and which would largely guide the fundamental platform for the electoral support afforded the party.
For too long, perhaps, being historically a more loosely organised and leader-centric party -- when compared to the People's National Party (PNP) -- the JLP has been comprised of individuals, many with disparate beliefs and oftentimes selfish desires, who have all come together for a political end; as opposed to the PNP that is governed by an ideology, if even not as potent today.
This reality probably lends largely to the popularly held belief that the JLP, especially since the departure of founding leader Sir Alexander Bustamante, does not win elections through the conscious call by the electorate for its election, but more the case that the JLP forms the government essentially by default when the PNP is deliberately rejected by the electorate.
I give full support to Andrew Holness on his desire to move the JLP towards a philosophy or principles-driven party. His ability to craft and have established such core principles would undoubtedly be a great legacy of his leadership of the party.
I hope Holness will ensure that the core principles are solidly defined, taking into consideration the views of as large a cross section of the party as possible, and that said principles are articulated through every nook and cranny of the party so that every Labourite, those standing as candidates and those otherwise supporting the party, can understand fully what the party stands for and subscribe to same.
After all, the meaningful expansion of the JLP's political base and its attraction to more of our people may largely depend on such a move.
Kevin K O Sangster
sangstek@msn.com
Plant the JLP philosophy now, Holness
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I read with great interest your Sunday Observer (March 29, 2015) news article titled 'Holness outlines the JLP's philosophy'.
I like most of the principles outlined, such as the party's unwavering stance as a fiscally conservative party with a strong belief in a reasonably regulated free market economy.
I do not quite like the term used of the party being a 'social activist' one -- though distinct from a socialist party -- as the activism could suggest or potentially result in too liberal an approach to social issues. I would prefer the notion of a socially responsible party with a more moderate and realist approach to social issues.
Importantly, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) must be known as a party with an internally robust democratic culture; one in which rules and constitutional provisions are fully respected, and not one in which the leadership conveniently ignores same for whatever end.
I have long been hoping for the definition and articulation of a set of core guiding principles for the JLP around which every member can coalesce, and which would largely guide the fundamental platform for the electoral support afforded the party.
For too long, perhaps, being historically a more loosely organised and leader-centric party -- when compared to the People's National Party (PNP) -- the JLP has been comprised of individuals, many with disparate beliefs and oftentimes selfish desires, who have all come together for a political end; as opposed to the PNP that is governed by an ideology, if even not as potent today.
This reality probably lends largely to the popularly held belief that the JLP, especially since the departure of founding leader Sir Alexander Bustamante, does not win elections through the conscious call by the electorate for its election, but more the case that the JLP forms the government essentially by default when the PNP is deliberately rejected by the electorate.
I give full support to Andrew Holness on his desire to move the JLP towards a philosophy or principles-driven party. His ability to craft and have established such core principles would undoubtedly be a great legacy of his leadership of the party.
I hope Holness will ensure that the core principles are solidly defined, taking into consideration the views of as large a cross section of the party as possible, and that said principles are articulated through every nook and cranny of the party so that every Labourite, those standing as candidates and those otherwise supporting the party, can understand fully what the party stands for and subscribe to same.
After all, the meaningful expansion of the JLP's political base and its attraction to more of our people may largely depend on such a move.
Kevin K O Sangster
sangstek@msn.com
Plant the JLP philosophy now, Holness
-->