Dear Editor,
The word “renewal”, like “prosperity”, has become a new political buzzword. It has been sliding onto keyboards, off the lips of media practitioners, political commentators, on social media, and from the articulate minority.
Renewal was the challenge that had been presented to the People’s National Party (PNP) following their loss at the polls on February 25, 2016. Renewal, for some, was a missed opportunity last Saturday when the PNP leadership remained in the hands of seasoned leaders, shutting out newcomer Lisa Hanna.
But what does renewal truly mean? Why is it important for young people? And what does the lack of renewal in political leadership and ideology mean for the wider society?
While many PNP stalwarts are content in blaming their surprising election loss on the promise of an increase in the income tax threshold, the uncomfortable truth is that their loss was more tied to their own folly than the machinations of the Jamaica Labour Party. It was primarily the sense of entitlement of the PNP, characterised by the decision not to debate, the regurgitation of the 2011 manifesto, and the focus on Holness’s house rather than plans to re-energise the economy that led to the downfall of the PNP. On February 25, even some of its party base deserted, stayed away, resulting in a low voter turnout.
Renewal, in the context of this loss, refers to a re-examination of the party and its ideologies and a generation of new ideas, new approaches, and new strategies to breathe new life into the party. Renewal is not a person nor is it an age group. Renewal must involve the infusion of fresh blood and talent within the political arena.
We should commend those who have afforded young people — who have grown up with different experiences, ideals and needs — an opportunity to be involved in political leadership. However, renewal is more than just allowing access. There is nothing new about a taxi whose driver might have just changed a wheel or two along the way. His style of driving and his bad habits have remained the same, irrespective of the shiny new parts. Renewal is about giving people, young and old, an opportunity to have independent thought and say, rather than just fall in line. There should be no punishment for dissent. Renewal requires that those at the helm are able to acknowledge their failings and are open to different ways to approaching critical matters.
Any political party which does not facilitate this kind of renewal stifles the voice of the young and turns them away. And who loses when our political parties are not infused with new voices? Whose lives are affected when our leaders, on both sides, do the same things repeatedly without stopping to reconsider? Whose national development is stunted when only people who accept the traditional way of doing things are given political backing? I will give you a hint… there are 2.7 million of them.
Glenroy Murray
glenroy.am.murray@gmail.com
The word “renewal”, like “prosperity”, has become a new political buzzword. It has been sliding onto keyboards, off the lips of media practitioners, political commentators, on social media, and from the articulate minority.
Renewal was the challenge that had been presented to the People’s National Party (PNP) following their loss at the polls on February 25, 2016. Renewal, for some, was a missed opportunity last Saturday when the PNP leadership remained in the hands of seasoned leaders, shutting out newcomer Lisa Hanna.
But what does renewal truly mean? Why is it important for young people? And what does the lack of renewal in political leadership and ideology mean for the wider society?
While many PNP stalwarts are content in blaming their surprising election loss on the promise of an increase in the income tax threshold, the uncomfortable truth is that their loss was more tied to their own folly than the machinations of the Jamaica Labour Party. It was primarily the sense of entitlement of the PNP, characterised by the decision not to debate, the regurgitation of the 2011 manifesto, and the focus on Holness’s house rather than plans to re-energise the economy that led to the downfall of the PNP. On February 25, even some of its party base deserted, stayed away, resulting in a low voter turnout.
Renewal, in the context of this loss, refers to a re-examination of the party and its ideologies and a generation of new ideas, new approaches, and new strategies to breathe new life into the party. Renewal is not a person nor is it an age group. Renewal must involve the infusion of fresh blood and talent within the political arena.
We should commend those who have afforded young people — who have grown up with different experiences, ideals and needs — an opportunity to be involved in political leadership. However, renewal is more than just allowing access. There is nothing new about a taxi whose driver might have just changed a wheel or two along the way. His style of driving and his bad habits have remained the same, irrespective of the shiny new parts. Renewal is about giving people, young and old, an opportunity to have independent thought and say, rather than just fall in line. There should be no punishment for dissent. Renewal requires that those at the helm are able to acknowledge their failings and are open to different ways to approaching critical matters.
Any political party which does not facilitate this kind of renewal stifles the voice of the young and turns them away. And who loses when our political parties are not infused with new voices? Whose lives are affected when our leaders, on both sides, do the same things repeatedly without stopping to reconsider? Whose national development is stunted when only people who accept the traditional way of doing things are given political backing? I will give you a hint… there are 2.7 million of them.
Glenroy Murray
glenroy.am.murray@gmail.com