UK diaspora warns new gov’t against complacency

LONDON:

The Jamaican diaspora in the United Kingdom (UK) is urging the newly-elected government in Jamaica to avoid complacency, having been voted in for a third consecutive tenure in office.

The message from a variety of academics in the UK follows the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) success at the polls, with Andrew Holness returning as prime minister. The encouragement that Prime Minister Holness avoids complacency follows the JLP receiving a significantly reduced mandate, from the Jamaican electorate.

In the 2020 general election the JLP won 49 out of the 63 seats in the Parliament. Last week’s election saw the incumbent gain 35 seats, against 28 for the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

Jamaica-born Dr Tony Sewell CBE, an international education consultant, said he wasn’t surprised by the election result. He added: “I would have liked to have seen a change in government, but it’s really hard to turn back the seats that are with the incumbent.

“My fear is that the JLP will continue implementing pre-election policies and will be complacent. I expect there might be a few announcements of airport openings and a few infrastructure developments.

“The problem Jamaica has is that the people have set the bar too low for their politicians. What many consider great; like roads and water, is what is expected from any civilised society.”

Sewell added: “I would like the Jamaican people to hold the government to account. For example, nearly 50 per cent of school children leave primary education without being able to read or write.

“Where are the visionaries in Jamaica, who ensure basics like water, roads and literacy.”

After the election Holness, 53, told celebrating supporters: “This government in our third term must be laser focused in ensuring that there must be prosperity for all Jamaicans.”

The prime minister added that during the third term, the party will undergo changes, in a bid to attract new talent adding: “so we will not be laying back comfortably in office.”

Professor Patrick Vernon, OBE, London-based social commentator and cultural historian, commended the JLP for its last rally (before the election) which he described as “really slick and professional.”

Vernon believes the rally could have moved uncertain voters to support Holness’ quest for a third term in office. Commenting on what policies he expects the newly elected government to promote, he said: “I think the key thing is that Jamaica should work towards being a Republic, and making sure that its head of state is no longer from the UK. Also it’s important that the final court of appeal is not the Privy Council, in London. “

He is also looking forward to see how PM Holness, the chairman of Caricom, implements the 10-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice, outlining steps to address the lasting harms of slavery, slave trading, and genocide. The professor also believes it’s essential that the new government keeps abreast with technological trends. He said: “Technology development is going to be really critical in Jamaica, and it will need to equip its workforce and particularly young people with the necessary skills. There is a lot of black talent in UK who have backgrounds in IT that can contribute to the economic development of Jamaica. The new government needs to cement more relationships not only in the UK, but Canada and the US.”

Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo, MBE director of the Windrush National Organisation (WNO) in Birmingham also shared that there needs to be closer relationships with the Jamaican government and the diaspora.

The WNO was formed to address and overcome barriers affecting those who immigrated to the UK from the 1950s and who have the right to UK status and/or financial compensation.

Bishop Dr Jaddoo said: “It’s time that the government really started working with organisations that are helping members of the Jamaican diaspora community in the UK, and not just with Windrush queries, but also the hostile environment and how it’s significantly impacting Jamaicans in the UK.

“One must not lose sight of the fact that there are families in Jamaica that rely upon those in the diaspora communities to survive.”

The human rights activist believes the election results should encourage greater unity among the parties, to improve the quality of life in Jamaica.

He added: “I would like to encourage the prime minister to develop industries in Jamaica, where people can get tangible jobs and develop their skills. At one point Jamaica was a mass producer of various items and that has gone down over the years. There has to be greater encouragement towards Jamaica commencing that journey towards self-sufficiency, which is what Marcus Garvey always encouraged,” Jaddoo said.