As we draw closer to Jamaica’s electoral cycle mid-term a mad scramble for potential occupancy of Jamaica house as future PM is on in earnest.
PNP’s internal competition is more transparent than JLP’s rivalry but both are equally fierce. Damion Crawford’s ambition has been loudly obvious for years. Other names heard in party-whispers include Dayton Campbell, as leading aspirant, Julian Robinson, as a reluctant but capable contender, Lisa Hanna, as the outlier with national appeal but who will have to be wooed as her focus seems on a new career, and, my personal favourite dark horse, Fitz Jackson, whose Don Quixote-style tilt at Banks on behalf of every Jamaican has been courageous, persistent despite adversity and apparently sincere.
JLP MPs are more strategic, quiet about any leadership issue. The Party rallies behind the current leader as often as required – sometimes more often than seems necessary. But I believe leadership aspirations reside in many hearts including that of Chris Tufton, who has been contained as Health Minister for so long that talent for national leadership has had little chance of promotion.
In my opinion, modern JLP has been two parties, as exemplified by Audley Shaw’s leadership challenge characterized by some media, as was Peter Bunting’s challenge of Peter Phillips, as “can’t-lose” up until the moment it lost. Since then, Andrew Holness has expertly managed both parties, balancing contending views and ambitions, and ensuring a united front is always presented to voters.
In that regard I rate Andrew as the best politician in Jamaica today and the best national leader of the 21st Century. But even he cannot ward off aggressive ambition forever and, as unlikely as this may appear, I believe he’s currently at his most vulnerable.
Other than Chris Tufton, there’s a young brigade led by Floyd Green, Robert Nesta Morgan, Delano Seiveright and Matthew Samuda who, since Andrew broke through the glass ceiling barring youth, now believe they’re as entitled as any. For me, Floyd, otherwise the best youth candidate, indelibly blotted his copybook when he metaphorically flipped a No-Movement-Day middle finger to the rest of us huddled at home hiding from the worst pandemic in a century. Like Nat King Cole, unforgettable!
Among the others, any number can play but I’ve a sneaking admiration for Delano who has been an outstanding rookie MP.
I also have a dark horse to takeover JLP whenever Andrew calls it a day (probably after 2030 election; immediately after if JLP loses). Ed Bartlett has served Jamaica in Tourism longer even than Tufton in Health but has done so with skill, commitment and charm. He has the sort of island wide appeal required to swing tight constituency battles and the intellectual balance and international respect required for national leadership.
One who definitely doesn’t have leadership ambitions is Cousin Daryl who looks set to go out like Kenny Rogers with widespread promotion of his recent elevation to O.J. Strident, glowing tributes that followed strongly suggest imminent retirement.
The above list isn’t exhaustive because it remains eternal political truth that every MP, regardless of relationship with reality, wants to be PM.
Every, Single. One!
But, I’ve some unsolicited and probably unwanted advice for anyone desirous of being Jamaican PM. Every aspirant must present a vision of Jamaica’s future. It is mundane mediocrity to pick at localized issues like bad roads or keep saying you’ll help the poor. These are just vote-buying mouth cuts since bad roads and poor will always be with us.
Campaign slogans like “Prosperity” and “Time Come” are meaningless mischief. They’re worth NOTHING without the foundation of a vision of a better Jamaica as mission statement to be pursued as vehicle for these political promises’ realization.
The essence of national leadership is having a vision of a future that gives everyone opportunity to achieve whatever their ambitions might be including to be wealthy – the easiest ambition to attain. Don’t believe me? Ask any Lottery Scammer. The hardest ambition to realize is to be best at whatever you do. Pre-eminence and wealth don’t necessarily co-exist.
The only vision that can ground genuine, effective, successful leadership is one based on acknowledgment we’ve been doing something(s) wrong for 64 years. Since, over that time, we’ve been governed by a series of competent, sincere leaders, it must be Jamaica’s governance system holding us back. We allowed former Colonial brainwashers to convince us to retain their system and keep us mentally enslaved. But Westminster was unsuitable for a small, independent island thousands of miles away geographically and culturally.
In a small country any system that operates based on an all-powerful Parliament of only 63 that allows PMs to do as they like without effective restriction or accountability is doomed to fail that country. It has failed Jamaica spectacularly. Before Melissa, our economy grew at less than 1% per annum for 63 years. Our education system spat out illiterates at an alarming rate. Our health services are in shambles; infrastructure is creaking, ancient and incapable of resisting climate change; industries, including agriculture and mining, have produced a massive, almost irreversible, trade deficit currently at US$3.72 billion.
Something’s cockeyed somewhere!
Immediately after Melissa I warned you ( The Maths not mathsing; November 21, 2025) this would happen due to increased need for food and building materials imports plus agricultural exports downturn and tourism contraction. But the numbers, which have been drowned out by noise about how much Government allegedly neglected PNP strongholds in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, are frightening. January-July 2026 Jamaica exported US$993 million, down from US$1.05 billion January-July 2025. During the same period we imported US$4.715 billion up from US$4.52 billion 2025.
Who supervises crisis spending in a system that provides zero separation of powers regarding Government expenditure? Government crafts, passes into law and implements national budgets (and supplemental budgets), then whines about “sabotage” by prudent civil servants trying to comply with whatever accountability rules exist. Government’s idea of addressing current fiscal woes is to restrict public service travel (with exceptions galore) and new car purchases. But even this drop in the bucket only shifts expenditure; saves not one penny; and doesn’t address the fundamental problems of revenue shortfalls; increased borrowing; and expanding trade deficits.
Please remember PNP’s vision was more giveaways to farmers; Government to force private insurers to settle claims faster; more R.O.O.F. giveaways; and more land giveaways. Not an ounce of structure. No vision!
A vision for Jamaica’s future begins with a decision to create a governance system that incorporates wider decision-making participation and accountability. The fundamental starting point is do we stay with Westminster or create a new system whether hybrid, adapted or radically reconstructed. Then we structure the system to ensure it nurtures Jamaicans’ aspirations and equips children for the future.
Jamaica needs VISION not technocrats, polytricksters or apologists.
In the spirit of not just grumbling but proposing solutions I’ll tell you my vision for Jamaica. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not planning to run for any elected office for many reasons. The leading two:
1. I agreed to a pre-nup that precludes me from politics;
2. If I were to run I wouldn’t get 10 votes and Old BC would run a campaign in support of my opponent.
My vision is of a Jamaica where opportunity is more attractive than opportunism. To achieve that vision we must abandon Westminster; abolish GG; introduce a direct vote for an Executive President and separate for MP; allow the President to nominate any Jamaican for cabinet subject to parliamentary confirmation; elect Senators by proportional representation; create an independent Judiciary with Chief Justice managing its budget.
I dream of Jamaica as a genuinely participatory democracy that emphasizes inclusion, fairness, equity and opportunity. Governance is the foundation within which all else must remain; legislation the walls and roof; infrastructure the interior furnishing; exterior gardens for distance from external danger; and fencing for protection and enforcement.
Let’s build our Jamaican home together. We can do it!
Peace and Love.
Gordon Robinson is an attorney at law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com
