The fundamental question which faces the Jamaican electorate this time like almost every other election cycle is whether to go with the Long term market driven strategy offered by the Jamaica labor Party .
Or whether to stay with the People’s National Party’s which offers small pork-barrel solutions which are great at vote getting but has disastrous consequences for the economy in the long run.
Leading up to the elections of 2011 there was no IMF agreement in place, the Labor Party refused to accept a deal which would break the back of the average Jamaican. Agreeing to a deal would see money coming into the country but with devastating consequences to working people.
There is no question as to what might have occurred had the JLP signed a deal the IMF presented to Audley Shaw and company.
We have seen the consequences. ♦ Massive depreciation of the local currency ♦ Massive Price Increases♦ Shortages and cut-backs of goods and services in the public sector♦ and Lay-offs♦
Those are just a few of the direct consequences of accepting IMF money. Of course there are the indirect consequences as well ♦ Escalating crime ♦ deteriorating infrastructure and a general sense of malaise, unease and misery among the population.
It’s important that Andrew Holness and the JLP tell the Jamaican people whether the party will continue with the IMF agreement and negotiate a new agreement in the near future if the party is elected to office.
The JLP must also explain where the funding will come from to provide Government services and maintain the Island’s obligations as it relates to debt servicing, if it chooses not to enter into an agreement with the fund.
Speaking to the Nation in a live broadcast, Opposition Leader Andrew Holness outlined a 10 point plan which he argues will grow the economy and provide real jobs.
SEE PLAN HERE: Holness offers 10-point plan for growth and job creation
Here’s the rub however.
The Opposition leader himself stated that the reason the Prime Minister set elections for February 25th of this year is to offset the negative effects of the upcoming budget. I believe there is much truth to that but more than that is the little issue of recent polling data which we are told has the governing party with a 4 percentage point lead over it’s rival JLP.
A potential JLP Administration invariably will have to deal with the fallout which emanate from the next budgetary dictates of the IMF which are sure to have negative consequences for the average Jamaican.
Holness and the JLP will potentially have to lay off workers and cut services as the PNP will also be forced to do. A new PNP Administration will not have to fear a backlash from layoffs, and service cut-backs. A new mandate insulates the party from that . They will also have five years in which to curry favor with the voters.
Not so for an incoming JLP Administration which will immediately be pilloried and labelled “heartless” for laying off struggling workers as soon as it acquires office.
Can’t win for losing.….….….….….…..