Denton Smith | The PNP should read the room- No more in-fighting

There are persons within the People’s National Party who appear determined to manufacture another leadership crisis, even though neither the mood of the party’s supporters nor the wider public supports such a distraction.

They should read the room.

Comrades are not demanding another round of internal warfare. They are not asking for fresh divisions, secret manoeuvring or public undermining. They want the party to consolidate, sharpen its political message, strengthen its machinery and prepare decisively for the next electoral contest—the Local Government Elections.

The supporters are tired of watching the PNP fight itself while the Government escapes the level of scrutiny and accountability it deserves. They want a disciplined opposition that relentlessly challenges poor governance, exposes failures, defends ordinary Jamaicans and presents a credible alternative.

Instead, the personal ambitions and oversized egos of a few continue to threaten the collective interests of the party. Some seem more concerned with controlling the PNP than helping it defeat the Jamaica Labour Party. That is not a political strategy. It is political selfishness.

No party can convince the country that it is ready to govern while influential figures within it are constantly plotting against their own leadership. Those who cannot accept the will of the membership must ask themselves whether they are truly serving the party or merely serving themselves.

The PNP has already paid a heavy price for internal division. It cannot afford to repeat the same destructive cycle every time someone’s ambition is not satisfied. Leadership cannot be treated as a personal entitlement, and the party cannot be held hostage by individuals who refuse to accept that the people may not share their preferred outcome.

This is the time for unity, discipline and political combat—not internal sabotage. Every ounce of the party’s energy should be directed towards organising communities, refining policies, mobilising supporters and holding the Government accountable.

The message from the ground is clear: stop the infighting, close ranks and prepare to win.

Those who continue to agitate for leadership change despite the unmistakable mood of the people are not listening. Their egos have made them politically tone-deaf.

They should read the room before the room decides it has had enough of them.

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Denton Smith can be contacted at :  [email protected]