Kristen Gyles | ‘Poppy show’ politics

The illusion of choice is pretty comforting. It is comforting to feel as though we have full or near-full control of political outcomes in a country where a lot is not going right. Were we to accept the idea that we are helpless and have hardly any control over our national governance, many more of us would be on the brink of insanity.

From that perspective, some of us may want to believe we have the privilege of a wide range of options to choose from and that we, the people, have all the power we need to design the government we want. However, the facts say otherwise.

Every time I am asked about my intention to vote at the next general elections, I am lectured about the need to, firstly, let my voice be heard, and secondly, hold the government accountable. It is almost as if Jamaicans read off the same old tired script when it comes to politics.

The advice is that when one party misbehaves, we should voice our dissatisfaction and disapproval of their actions by holding them accountable at the polls. We hold the party accountable at the polls by voting for the other party, since of course, there are only two main political parties.

MISBEHAVE

When the other party takes the reins, as history shows us, they will also misbehave, and then we will need to hold them accountable by voting for the ‘other’ party. That other party will return to power and misbehave some more until we ‘hold them accountable’ yet again. That game of ping pong will continue in perpetuity.

The reality is that this observation is one that many Jamaicans have long recognised and might be the reason the voter turnout is typically as low as it is. More and more, turning up and out to participate in the electoral process appears pointless, because all the voting public truly has is an illusion of choice.

A few days ago, at the People’s National Party’s (PNP’s) 86th annual conference, Jamaicans got a glimpse of the ‘poppy show’ politics that we are being encouraged to support. Thousands of party loyalists, among others present, cheered at the top of their lungs at the appearance of controversial celebrities including Vybz Kartel, L.A. Lewis and the cockpit maroon chief, Richard Currie.

The party’s appeal was clearly to an assemblage of party loyalists, blind voters and mindless fans who do not need to be persuaded in any way to go out and vote. The PNP is struggling to motivate the thinking classes to come out and vote for them, so they have turned to celebrities who might attract a large following. The reality is that, if the objective is to win at any and all costs, the PNP made a smart move. They are likely to have mobilized a throng of individuals who need to see nothing more than vibes on a stage in front of them, to be stirred into voting. While meaningful messages and ideas were presented at the conference, Jamaicans also got a glimpse of what easy and cheap voter mobilization looks like. The question is whether the majority of Jamaicans are easy or cheap.

SHAMED TO INK FINGERS

The other question is what will the unimpressed Jamaicans, who are disillusioned with both parties, actually do? Every election cycle, people are shamed into going out to ink their fingers in the name of participating in the electoral process. They are told that they shouldn’t leave the important decision of Jamaica’s leadership up to others and worse, up to people who do not have the country’s best interest at heart.

First, if the primary motivation for heading to the polling station is the fact that others are heading there, it is an indication that there is a fundamental lack of direction amongst the voting population. The motivation to vote cannot simply be that others are voting. So those trying to shame non-voters for their so-called lack of participation should try harder.

Second, there is no evidence to suggest that those who are not voting, by and large, are uninvolved or unaware of what is happening politically. Rather, it is because they are aware that causes them in many instances not to cast a vote. They see allegations of corruption on both sides. They see finger pointing and blame-game playing on both sides. They see an inability to meaningfully reform key sectors, on both sides. They see an unwillingness to work together on both sides. And worst of all, they see commitment to party above the people of Jamaica, on both sides. So, excuse those Jamaicans who are unimpressed, but the political arena leaves much to be desired.

Also, not to be forgotten, is the fact that based on the 1980 voter turnout of over 80 per cent, where the country feels it is in fundamental danger with either party remaining in power, people will turn out in their numbers. However, there is a popular saying in Jamaica about swapping black dog for monkey. Perhaps that is the choice many Jamaicans think they have in 2024, and as such, they ignore what they feel is no more than just ‘poppy show’ politics.

Kristen Gyles is a free-thinking public affairs opinionator. Send feedback to kristengyles@gmail.com and columns@gleanerjm.com