In a recent supplement to the Financial Times on Jamaica, Sir Kenneth Blackburne, a former Governor-General of the island, wrote on the country's political sct-up. He said that Jamaica is a country "with political stability - stability based on two powerful and democratically clectcd political parties, and on two fine political leaders, Sir Alexander Bustamente..and Mr, Norman Manley (the present leader of the Opposition). But it is natural for the investor to ask whether this political stability will survive the inevitable stresses and strains of the future..." Sir Kenneth then goes on to give a brief historical outline of politics on the island. His description of the birth of the two party system makes interesting reading:
"Shortly before the first elections under the new constitution in 1944 a split developed between the two leaders, Mr. Bustamente objecting to the socialist doctrines preached by the People's National Party. So, fortunately for Jamaice" (and for British investors?) "he formed his om political organisation - the Jamaica Labour Party, and the two-party system was born."
But investors shouldn't worry about the PNP's socialism: “It is a Socialist Party; but it is not extreme in its views; and, during its 2 periods in office, it showed by its actions that it believes in securing interest from overseas investorse.ee" Elsewhere in the supplement we read: "™...the trend in wages has in general not been inflationary and labour could not be called dear in Jamaica..." Hence the true nature of the neo-colonialist set-up in Jamaica is plain for all to see.
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