Time to elevate the political discourse
Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Observer editorial dated June 5, 2024 headlined ‘Please, please! As a nation we must abandon vulgarity’ was an incisive piece, and I am morally compelled to support it and comment accordingly.
In recent times there has been much vulgarity and filthy comments from the two political parties, oftentimes perpetuated by various party hacks, activists, and puerile-thinking supporters of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Within the context that a general election is constitutionally due by next year, September 2025, and the campaign has already started, it is imperative for some law, order, and discipline to be enforced to keep the discourse among politicians and their supporters respectful, clean in conduct, and responsible. There is absolutely no need for individuals supporting the political parties to get themselves involved in putrid political talk, spreading lies and misinformation on social media.
Social media postings are on many occasions filled with inaccuracies, fictitious information, and libelous statements aimed at damaging political opponents. Let us put away that form of gutter politics and begin to discuss policies and indicate the accomplishments of the Andrew Holness-led Government and highlight within an informed framework the proposed policies that would be implemented under a PNP-led Government. This is what responsible, forward-thinking, and upright political conduct and discussion is all about in this modern era. Let us not go back to the tribal political arena of the devastating 1970s period.
On the various radio talk shows, which I carefully monitor and to which I contribute from time to time as a public commentator, there are many paid political activists from both the PNP and JLP who in recent months have been savagely lambasting each other and making disparaging statements against the leader of the JLP and the president of the PNP. This form of irresponsible, careless, and scandalous politics is not needed and ought not to be tolerated at this time.
The entire political discourse needs to be elevated with constructive, respectful, and meaningful discussions that will attract new supporters to both political parties. Diehards can be forceful, fearless, and impactful in vigorously supporting their political parties without descending into malicious, disgraceful, and disgusting political talk for which the only aim is to tear down their political opponents and will in no way benefit the country, the political party, or their leaders.
Also, elected representatives must conduct themselves in a respectable and responsible manner by setting the appropriate standards for their constituents. Thus far, Prime Minister Holness and PNP President Mark Golding have conducted themselves in a respectful manner, and they should demand that party supporters, activists, Members of Parliament, councillors, and officers also maintain a high standard of political conduct.
Last year, former Prime Minister PJ Patterson firmly and rightly berated the political leadership and their party operatives for engaging in disgraceful, reckless, and distasteful public discourse and urged all involved to cease from so doing and begin to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner.
There is certainly the need for a well-funded, well-organised all-island values and attitudes educational campaign to be implemented and chaired by noted broadcaster and lecturer Dervan Malcolm and Roman Catholic Archbishop Kenneth Richards.
Robert Dalley
opinionwriter500@mailfence.com
