JAMAICA | PNPYO Condemns JLP's Descent into Racial Politics as Elections Loom

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, March 1, 2025 - As the much anticipated announcement of the Jamaican election becomes increasingly imminent, the People's National Party Youth Organization (PNPYO) has taken a firm stand against what it describes as "dangerous racial provocations" emanating from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, calling the trend a direct assault on Jamaica's national identity.

The youth arm of the opposition party has lambasted MP Everald Warmington for his recent inflammatory remarks at a JLP gathering in Eastern St. Andrew, where he explicitly urged voters to consider race when choosing between PNP President Mark Golding and Prime Minister Andrew Holness. This incident, the PNPYO notes, is not isolated but follows a similar racially charged speech Warmington delivered at a JLP rally in North Eastern St. Catherine last November.

"These statements represent a calculated attempt to inject racial division into our politics at a time when national unity is paramount," a spokesperson for the PNPYO stated. "They fly in the face of our sacred national motto, 'Out of Many, One People,' which has guided our multicultural society for generations."

The organization pointedly referenced Jamaica's proud history of embracing leadership from diverse backgrounds, citing national heroes Norman Manley and Sir Alexander Bustamante as emblems of the nation's commitment to inclusivity regardless of racial origin. This tradition, they argue, is now under threat from elements within the governing party.

In a direct challenge to the Prime Minister, the PNPYO called on Andrew Holness to match his public pronouncements with decisive action. They referenced his recent address at the National Prayer Breakfast where he assured the country that racially divisive rhetoric has no place in Jamaica's political discourse.

"The time for empty platitudes has passed," the statement read. "We demand that the Prime Minister hold his colleagues accountable and publicly denounce Warmington's comments if his commitment to national unity is genuine and not merely performative."

As Jamaica approaches election season, the PNPYO has raised alarms about the potential consequences of unchecked divisive rhetoric, warning that such language not only sows discord but threatens the very stability of Jamaica's democratic institutions. The organization has called for a unified response from civil society, the Jamaican diaspora, and all citizens concerned with the nation's future.

"The politics of racial division represents a dangerous regression that Jamaica cannot afford," the PNPYO emphasized. "We stand resolute in upholding the principles of respect, unity, and integrity in governance that have been the hallmark of the PNP's approach to national leadership."

The youth organization concluded with a somber warning against returning to an era of political turmoil, stressing that the responsibility to preserve Jamaica's hard-won national unity rests with all citizens who envision a prosperous and harmonious future for the country.

The People's National Party Youth Organization (PNPYO) is the youth arm of Jamaica's People's National Party, dedicated to advocating for progressive policies and engaging young people in the democratic process.

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