Jamaica Election 2016 - That is important, Hope!

Growing signs of Unity among Jamaica's Electorate during Election 2016

Roxanne Lammie

Everyone is entitled to their opinion as you said. However, you sound very negative. By the sound of it you are not even in Jamaica, so how can you speak for what is happening now as opposed to when you were here? If it is oh so good why did you leave? Food costs in Jamaica are not very different from those in America. The Price for food is only better in the $ stores or when there is a sale. I have done the comparison. 

The salary scale, on the other hand, bears no comparison and that will need to change for people to manage a bit better. The majority of Jamaicans are tired of going to the supermarket and being barely able to purchase basic necessities. They hope that the change will be for the better. That is important; HOPE. The minute there is no hope in any of the parties then all is lost. The PNP were confident that the Jamaican people liked what they were doing to us and the country based on how long we have allowed them to run the country. 

Changing Posture of Jamaica's Electorate

Most people did not vote in JLP because of the promises they made but to get a change, different perspectives for better or worst. The ruling party, whether PNP or JLP, need to be aware that they work for us and if they do not perform then goodbye.We all need to not vote at all if we are unsatisfied with the representation offered and not just vote to get a particular party in. For that matter, as a part of this wonderful democratic process, we should be able to nominate our MPs instead of those stupid die-hearted party delegates. Allegiance to a party name is stupid as the country is run by individuals. Does anyone notice how they jump from one party to the other at the drop of a hat? We are yet to see what Andrew can or cannot do. We already know what Portia can, cannot and will be doing if they continue to pressure her. Let's hope for the best for Jamaica. Patrece Lammie

Norman Manley Museum

 In his last public address to an annual conference of the PNP, Norman Manley declare:

"I say that the mission of my generation was to win self-government for Jamaica. To win political power which is the final power for the black masses of my country from which I spring. I am proud to stand here today and say to you who fought that fight with me, say it with gladness and pride: Mission accomplished for my generation."

Norman Manley

"Among the things I will always remember is Norman Manley's towering intellect, his passion for selfless service, his energy which was boundless, and his enduring stamina."

Norman Washington Manley was born to mixed-race parents in Roxborough in Jamaica's Manchester parish, on 4 July 1893. His father Thomas Albert Samuel Manley, the out-of-wedlock son of a former slave and an English merchant from Yorkshire, worked as an agricultural businessman; he sold Jamaican spices and fruit to the United States. Norman Manley's mother, Margaret Shearer, was the daughter of a mixed-race woman and her ethnic Irish husband, a pen-keeper.

Manley was a brilliant scholar, soldier and athlete, and studied law at Jesus College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He served in the Royal Field Artillery during World War I, and was awarded the Military Medal (M.M.).

After suffrage was approved in 1944, Manley had to wait ten years and two terms before his party was elected to office. He was a strong advocate of the Federation of the West Indies, established in 1958. 

Norman Manley Museum, Jamaica

 Manley founded the left-wing People's National Party, which later was tied to the Trade Union Congress and the National Workers Union.Manley served as the colony's Chief Minister from 1955 to 1959, and as Premier from 1959 to 1962. He was a proponent of the island's participation in the Federation of the West Indies but bowed to pressure to hold a referendum on the issue in 1961. Voters chose to have Jamaica withdraw from the union.