Perspective: “My Leader Born Here …” Jamaicans Dump Canadian Citizen PNP’s Shane Alexis Vs JLP’s Norman Dunn

We do not support the view that a Commonwealth citizen as PNP’s Alexis should not be seen as electable, if such persons bring value to the country.

Ironically, it was a 1976 PNP election campaign that effectively introduced citizenship as a criteria for being eligible to be elected to the Jamaican parliament. After a narrow 4 seat victory in 2007 the band mindedness of the PNP leadership under Portia Simpson Miller moved to remove the JLP from office via the Courts. The PNP claimed that dual citizens like JLP’s Daryl Vaz, Michael Stern, etc. had to resign and by-elections had to be held …  it was a very costly exercise. Hon. Bruce Golding was JLP Leader then as PM.

The table has now turned and the JLP has decided to draw the same card. Good for them.

Sunday School

Politics is no Sunday School affair, so to use the law to your advantage is not illegal even if considered immoral.

Poll

The latest poll points to a JLP victory on October 30, 2017, in the by-election in Southeast St. Mary.  You will recall that the JLP lost same in the 2016 general elections by 5 votes. PNP’s MP  Dr. Winston Green died recently, hence the by-election. JLP’s Dunn has a 9 percent lead over PNP’s Alexis.

In my perspective, when you dig a hole, make sure you dig two. One for yourself.  What is your perspective?

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper.