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Does the PNP Have a Spell Over Jamaica?

I need to ask a question, or maybe a couple questions.

Jamaica gained independence in 1962 and since then there have been two major political parties that have governed the country, namely the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party.

My first question is this: What is it about the PNP that has allowed it to be the dominant ruling party in Jamaica?

It has held the majority of seats in the Jamaican Parliament between 1972 to 1980, from 1989 to September 2007, and after the elections in 2011 held 42 out of the 63 seats in parliament.

  

I am desperately trying to understand. It has been stated so many times that the PNP is the party that has wrecked Jamaica. 

First under Michael Manley, then under PJ Patterson, and now under Portia Simpson Miller.

Why do the Jamaican people keep voting the PNP into power?

Is it that the PNP has somehow manged to be able to reach the masses in ways that the JLP cannot?

I have often heard it said that the JLP is a party filled with the upper crusts, and the ELITE of the society.

So is it that the greater mass of people who are poor, and disenfranchised do not feel that the JLP represents them?

I have also heard it said that the JLP is the party of ‘light skin people’, while the PNP is the party for the ‘darker skin people’. 

So is there classism and racism in our politics to the point where JAMAICANS honestly do not think that the JLP supports them?

HOPEFULLY someone will be able to ENLIGHTEN me on this issue.

Why do you believe Jamaicans continue to vote the PNP into power? Share your thoughts in the comments:

Image Source: caribbeanelections.com
Image Source: caribbeanelections.com

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