Golding: PNP behind, but on the right trajectory

People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding says the party will discuss the findings of a policy commission which was mandated in 2021 to modernise its core philosophy as it stages its 84th annual conference this weekend.

In early 2021, Golding appointed Brown University Professor Anthony Bogues to chair the commission, whose goal was to craft a transformational 21st century policy and vision document that is guided by equitable, economic, social and political development.

Bogues, who serves as the director of the Centre of the Study of Slavery and Justice, previously worked closely with former Prime Minister Michael Manley and was the secretary of the PNP’s Political Education Commission in the 1980s.

At the PNP’s St Andrew Southern Constituency Conference in Arnett Gardens on Sunday, Golding pointed out that Bogues’ report went to the party’s National Executive Council in July and was met with a great deal of enthusiasm and relief.

“We were so happy to hear the articulation of our philosophy in 21st century terms in a way that we could all buy into … . To attract the people, we must have a clear vision of development that is relevant to them, that will appeal to the people cause they will see how we are answering their needs, and Comrades, that is a lesson that I take on board very seriously,” Golding said.

“This week, we have our conference coming up, and we will take it to the delegates and we will discuss it and we will refine it, and in my humble estimation and my fervent hope, we will adopt that document and it will become our charter – our philosophical charter – for the next few years to come and will guide the principles and will guide the programmes and will guide the policies of the People’s National Party to bring a better life to the Jamaican people,” he said to cheers.

Golding added that the PNP has started to rethink, reassess and rearticulate its philosophy, principles and objectives in loyalty to its democratic and socialist traditions.

“The next PNP government must have a progressive policy on all the fundamental issues facing the Jamaican people. We must have a progressive policy on education because education is the antidote to poverty. It is the pathway out of poverty,” Golding said.

“The statistics that have been shown in recent reports emphasized that too many of our children are not getting what they need to get out of the education system. ... We will start by focusing on di little youth dem, early childhood development, nutrition and the right input so that by the time they finish primary school, every one a dem can read and write and think critically and are ready for secondary school and high school and can continue in a path forward,” he said.

Golding, who is the member of parliament for St Andrew Southern, also called for more investment in housing, charging that the National Housing Trust, which was founded by Manley, had lost its way.

“When we see that they’ve been focusing on building houses that are out of reach for the workers of this country, they have lost their way, and when we see that they’re taking this Government, having left an IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme, is taking $102 billion – five per cent of GDP – over nine years out of the National Housing Trust, we see why it is not delivering the houses for the masses that the people need,” he said.

Golding urged party supporters to be ready to cast their ballots whenever they are called next to the polls.

“We’re improving. We are united and we are getting stronger every day, but we’re still behind, and we can’t take it for granted Comrades, but at least our trajectory is in the right direction,” he said.

The PNP’s annual conference will be held from September 16 to 18.

ainsworth.morrris@gleanerjm.com