MARK GOLDING IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN MICHAEL MANLEY

My fellow Jamaicans, I am sounding an alarm.

In my view, Mark Golding poses a greater political danger to Jamaica than many Jamaicans realize—not because I can prove he secretly wants to destroy Jamaica, but because of the direction he is openly proposing for the Country.

Listen carefully to his own words and examine his political philosophy.

In August 2026, Golding publicly embraced democratic socialism, invoked Michael Manley's legacy, called Manley a hero, and said that the PNP under his leadership intends to build upon that legacy.

That should immediately cause Jamaicans—especially those old enough to remember the 1970s—to ask some very serious questions.

What exactly does "building on Michael Manley's legacy" mean for Jamaica in 2026 and beyond?

I grew up in Jamaica. I remember what political tribalism did to communities. I remember the economic hardship and social upheaval associated with that era. So when today's Opposition embraces the political philosophy associated with Michael Manley, I believe Jamaicans have every right to examine that philosophy under a microscope.

But there is another issue.

Opposition parties are supposed to scrutinize governments—that is democracy. Golding himself describes his role as demanding accountability and challenging Government decisions. Criticizing the Government, therefore, is not by itself evidence of trying to destroy Jamaica.

The legitimate question is different: When does responsible Opposition become obstruction?

Golding has challenged the Government over constitutional reform, the proposed transition from the Privy Council to the CCJ, the Government's handling of Hurricane Melissa recovery, an agreement involving third-country nationals, and the tabling of an Integrity Commission report.

Jamaicans should examine those positions one by one and decide whether they represent legitimate democratic oversight or a pattern of political obstruction.

And then there is the controversy surrounding the 2026 leaked audio. The Gleaner reported that voices alleged to be those of two PNP officials were heard discussing ways of discrediting Major General Antony Anderson in connection with the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority. Golding later said those comments did not represent the individuals involved and were not PNP policy. Include that denial because fairness demands we give the audience both sides.

My people, this is bigger than JLP versus PNP.

Don't vote because your grandmother was PNP.

Don't vote because your grandfather was JLP.

Don't vote because somebody hands you a green shirt or an orange shirt.

Vote for Jamaica. 🇯🇲

Study Michael Manley's economic record. Study what happened to Jamaica during the 1970s. Then study Mark Golding's speeches, policies, and proposals. Compare them with Jamaica's present economic circumstances.

And ask one simple question:

DO WE REALLY WANT TO GO BACK?

I don't.

If Mark Golding wants Jamaicans to embrace Michael Manley's political philosophy again, he must explain precisely which parts of the Manley experiment he intends to resurrect—and which parts he rejects.

That's the debate Jamaica deserves.

Data is king. History matters. And Jamaica must come before every political party. 🇯🇲

MARK GOLDING & MICHAEL MANLEY: IS JAMAICA BEING TAKEN BACK TO THE 1970s?

My people, listen to me carefully today.

And before anybody runs into the comment section shouting "JLP!" or "PNPLGBTQ+ Criminal Organization!", I want you to do something different.

Put down the political pom-poms.

Put Jamaica first.

Because this presentation is not about loving green and hating orange.

It is not about loving orange and hating green.

This is about Jamaica. 🇯🇲

And today I am asking a question that every Jamaican—at home and throughout the diaspora—needs to consider:

Could Mark Golding take Jamaica back toward the economic philosophy of Michael Manley?

Don't answer yet.

Stay with me.

Because I am going to give you something more valuable than political slogans.

I am going to give you DATA.

And you know what I always tell you on Jamaican Young Police:

DATA IS KING!

In August 2026, Mark Golding publicly embraced democratic socialism, the political philosophy associated with Michael Manley during the 1970s. He called Manley a hero and said that the PNP under his leadership would build on Manley's legacy.

Wait a minute!

Build on WHAT legacy?

Because if you're going to invoke Michael Manley, Jamaicans have a right to examine the entire record—the achievements AND the failures.

The IMF's historical analysis tells us that between 1972 and 1980, Jamaica's GDP per capita declined by almost 30 percent.

Government spending increased from approximately 23 percent of GDP in 1972 to 45 percent in 1978.

The IMF says external shocks—including oil crises and falling bauxite prices—played an important role.

But listen carefully:

The IMF also says Government policies played a role. 

So don't let anybody tell you a fairy tale from either political side.

This presentation isn't:

"Michael Manley caused everything."

And it certainly isn't:

"Michael Manley caused nothing."

We're going where the evidence takes us.

And when we're finished, YOU decide.

Because history doesn't have to repeat itself.

But Jamaica has to remember it first.

DON'T LET POLITICS SWITCH OFF YOUR BRAIN

My people, before we go any further, I want everybody watching to understand my position.

If you are PNP, stay.

If you are JLP, stay.

If you don't support either political party, stay.

And if you're watching from America, Canada, England, the Caribbean, Africa—or anywhere else in the Jamaican diaspora—stay with me.

Because I don't want agreement.

I want examination.

Something dangerous happens in partisan politics.

The minute somebody hears criticism of their political party, their defensive mechanism activates.

They stop listening.

They stop examining.

They stop questioning.

And sometimes they stop thinking.

Not here.

On Jamaican Young Police, we'll examine the evidence.

Because a Jamaican who unquestioningly supports the JLP is no more intellectually independent than a Jamaican who unquestioningly supports the PNP.

If the JLP does foolishness, call it foolishness.

If the PNP does foolishness, call it foolishness.

Country before party.

TEAM JAMAICA. 🇯🇲

WHY MICHAEL MANLEY MATTERS IN 2026

Some younger Jamaicans might be asking:

"Sir Porter, why are you talking about Michael Manley in 2026?"

Because Mark Golding brought Michael Manley's political philosophy back into the contemporary conversation.

Golding reportedly said that changing circumstances were producing renewed interest in democratic socialism. He argued that Government must protect ordinary people against concentrations of power and said his PNP would build on Manley's legacy.

Now listen carefully.

Democratic socialism is not inherently illegitimate.

European democracies have combined extensive social programs with competitive markets, private enterprise, and democratic institutions.

And wanting better healthcare, education, wages, and opportunities for poor people does not make somebody economically irresponsible.

Let's be intellectually fair.

Michael Manley also pursued significant social reforms.

His supporters remember efforts toward greater equality, worker protections, education, and expanding opportunities for Jamaicans historically excluded from power.

That belongs in the historical record too.

But here is where I have a problem.

If you're going to celebrate the philosophy, then Jamaica has every right to ask:

WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMIC RESULTS?

You cannot inherit only the parts of history that make good speeches.

History comes as a complete package.

LET'S OPEN THE BOOKS

My people:

DATA IS KING.

According to an IMF historical assessment, Jamaica experienced rapid economic growth, averaging around 6 percent annually during the 1960s and early 1970s.

Then things changed dramatically.

The IMF says that by the end of 1976, Jamaica's foreign reserves and access to foreign commercial-bank credit were virtually exhausted.

Jamaica subsequently approached the IMF and negotiated a stand-by arrangement in August 1977.

Now somebody is going to say:

"Sir Porter! You're blaming Michael Manley for international oil prices!"

No.

Listen to what I'm saying.

External forces mattered enormously.

Jamaica suffered from oil shocks.

Bauxite conditions deteriorated.

Tourism suffered.

International circumstances were difficult.

An IMF retrospective says Jamaica's real GDP fell about 21 percent from 1974 to 1980, and explicitly says international developments were partly responsible.

But it ALSO points toward Jamaica's failure to adjust economic policies adequately to those shocks.

That's the nuance.

External shocks + domestic policy choices.

Both can be true simultaneously.

LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS

Now I need everybody to pay attention.

Put these numbers on the screen.

1972: Government spending ≈ 23% of GDP

Then:

1978: Government spending ≈ 45% of GDP

And according to the IMF assessment:

1972–1980: GDP per capita fell by almost 30%. 

My people!

Read that again.

Don't argue with Sir Porter.

Argue with the data.

Those numbers don't prove that democratic socialism alone caused Jamaica's economic deterioration.

But they absolutely justify asking difficult questions about fiscal policy, Government expansion, investment, and economic management.

Another IMF historical account says the Government deficit rose substantially during the decade and that consumption increased while investment's share of GDP declined.

And what creates tomorrow's jobs?

Investment.

What creates businesses?

Investment.

What creates productive capacity?

Investment.

A Country can consume today.

But somebody has to invest for tomorrow.

Government CANNOT PRINT PROSPERITY

This is where I want young Jamaicans especially to listen.

Government has no magical money tree.

Every dollar the Government spends ultimately comes from somewhere:

• taxation,

• borrowing,

• Government revenue,

• natural resources,

• economic production,

• or monetary creation, with its own consequences.

Government absolutely has responsibilities.

Schools cost money.

Hospitals cost money.

Police cost money.

Roads cost money.

Social programs cost money.

And I support the Government protecting vulnerable citizens.

But there is a difference between:

a social safety net

and

an economy increasingly dependent upon the state.

If Government becomes too large relative to the productive economy supporting it, somebody eventually receives the bill.

And sometimes that somebody is the next generation.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR QUESTION

Here is another uncomfortable piece of history.

An IMF study describes Jamaica in the 1970s as increasing Government regulation and public ownership while private-sector activity weakened. By 1980, output had fallen below its 1973 level and unemployment was reported at 27 percent.

Another IMF analysis says the Jamaican Government eventually acquired interests in numerous industries—including bauxite, sugar, textiles, cement, banks and hotels—and reports that by 1984 the public-sector registry contained 199 public enterprises.

Now ask yourself something.

Who creates most sustainable employment?

Government?

Or productive businesses and entrepreneurs operating within a functioning economy?

Government is necessary.

Private enterprise is necessary.

The question is balance.

You cannot frighten away investment and then complain about unemployment.

You cannot punish productive activity and then wonder why production declines.

But equally, you cannot allow businesses to exploit workers and then pretend the market will magically solve every social problem.

Balance.

That's what serious economic management requires.

WHY PEOPLE LEFT JAMAICA

Now this part is personal for countless Jamaican families.

Ask older Jamaicans about the 1970s.

Ask them why relatives left.

Ask them why families scattered across:

America.

Canada.

Britain.

The Cayman Islands.

The Bahamas.

Everywhere.

Economic insecurity was certainly one factor, although political violence and broader social instability also mattered.

And I want the younger generation to understand something.

When educated and skilled citizens leave a Country in large numbers, the Country doesn't merely lose people.

It loses:

teachers.

doctors.

nurses.

engineers.

entrepreneurs.

police officers.

technicians.

professionals.

taxpayers.

investment.

institutional knowledge.

That's called human capital.

And when human capital walks through the departure lounge, rebuilding it can take generations.

BUT DON'T REWRITE HISTORY

Now watch this carefully because somebody is already typing:

"Sir Porter is blaming Manley for everything!"

No.

I refuse to do that.

The 1970s faced major international shocks.

The oil crises mattered.

Bauxite mattered.

Global economic conditions mattered.

Cold War geopolitics mattered.

Political violence mattered.

Domestic policies mattered.

Investor confidence mattered.

Fiscal policy mattered.

History is complicated.

Anyone offering a single explanation for an entire decade is probably selling you politics, not history.

Even the IMF's modern retrospective explicitly says external shocks partly caused the economic decline, but that policies also played a role.

That sentence is extremely important.

Because it prevents BOTH sides from rewriting history.

NOW ENTER MARK GOLDING

And this brings us back to 2026.

Mark Golding invokes Michael Manley.

Golding embraces democratic socialism.

Golding talks about building upon Manley's legacy.

Okay.

Then explain it.

And this is where I challenge Mark Golding politically.

Mr. Golding:

Which Michael Manley policies do you want Jamaica to reproduce?

Which ones do you reject?

What exactly does democratic socialism mean under a Golding Government?

Higher taxes?

Different taxes?

More Government ownership?

Expanded welfare programs?

Greater Government intervention?

More borrowing?

Or does it mean a modern market economy with stronger social protections?

Tell Jamaica.

Because those are very different things.

Don't give us labels.

Give us numbers.

SHOW US THE RECEIPTS

This is what Jamaicans should demand from every political leader.

If you promise $100 billion in new programs:

Where is the $100 billion coming from?

Taxes?

Tell us.

Borrowing?

Tell us.

Economic growth?

Show us the assumptions.

Spending reductions somewhere else?

Identify them.

This shouldn't apply only to Golding.

Andrew Holness should face the same standard.

Every JLP minister should face it.

Every PNP spokesman should face it.

SHOW JAMAICA THE RECEIPTS.

Because politicians love announcing benefits.

Very few politicians enjoy explaining the invoice.

OPPOSITION IS NOT TREASON

Now here's another important distinction.

I have heard people say Golding wants to bring Jamaica to its knees.

That is a political interpretation, not a fact without evidence of his intent.

And I want this presentation to withstand scrutiny.

An Opposition leader is SUPPOSED to oppose.

He is supposed to question the Government.

He is supposed to expose wrongdoing.

He is supposed to challenge legislation.

He is supposed to demand accountability.

That is democracy.

So disagreement with Andrew Holness doesn't automatically mean Golding is trying to destroy Jamaica.

But citizens are entitled to examine whether individual acts of Opposition are:

constructive oversight

or

political obstruction.

Judge each case by evidence.

That's a much stronger argument.PART 12 — THE QUESTION ISN'T "SOCIALISM: GOOD OR BAD?"

This debate is too important for bumper-sticker politics.

Capitalism without regulation can produce exploitation and extreme inequality.

Social programs without fiscal discipline can produce unsustainable spending and debt.

Government without private enterprise can suffocate innovation.

Private enterprise without effective Government can leave vulnerable people behind.

Jamaica needs balance.

So when somebody says:

"Democratic socialism!"

Don't panic.

Ask:

What policies?

What taxes?

What spending?

What regulations?

What ownership structure?

What debt projections?

What growth assumptions?

What protections for private investment?

What protections for workers?

Details!

WHAT MANLEY'S DEFENDERS WILL SAY

Now I'm going to do something many political commentators won't do.

I'll present the other side.

Manley's defenders will say:

Michael Manley wasn't simply an economic leader.

He represented social transformation.

They will point toward reforms affecting workers, education, equality, and national dignity.

They'll argue that international economic forces hammered Jamaica beyond Manley's control.

They'll point toward oil prices.

Bauxite.

Cold War pressures.

Capital flight.

International financial pressures.

Historical evidence supports the importance of external shocks.

Fair enough.

But here's my response.

A leader doesn't get judged only by the problems he inherited.

Leadership is also judged by how Government responds to those problems.

INTENTIONS AREN'T RESULTS

This is one of the most important lessons in politics.

Good intentions do not guarantee good outcomes.

You can genuinely want to help poor people and implement a policy that eventually hurts them.

You can genuinely want workers to earn more and accidentally reduce employment.

You can genuinely want Government to provide more services and borrow beyond what taxpayers can sustainably finance.

Intentions matter morally.

Results matter economically.

That is why I don't want Golding merely telling Jamaica:

"We care about the people."

Every politician says that.

Show us the model.

Show us the cost.

Show us the projected growth.

Show us what happens to debt.

Show us what happens to investment.

Show us what happens when the world economy goes into recession.

SHOW US.

DON'T GAMBLE WITH JAMAICA

Jamaica is not a laboratory.

Our children are not economic guinea pigs.

Our pensioners aren't economic guinea pigs.

Our businesses aren't economic guinea pigs.

Our workers aren't economic guinea pigs.

When governments make economic mistakes, politicians don't necessarily suffer first.

Ordinary people do.

The taxi driver feels it.

The market woman feels it.

The nurse feels it.

The police officer feels it.

The teacher feels it.

The pensioner feels it.

The small-business owner feels it.

And eventually another generation packs a suitcase and says:

"Mi done. Mi a leave Jamaica."

That's the tragedy we must prevent.

MY CHALLENGE TO MARK GOLDING

So Mark Golding, here are the questions I believe Jamaicans deserve answers to.

What precisely does democratic socialism mean in your economic program?

How much additional Government spending would your policies require?

How would those programs be financed?

Would income taxes increase?

Would business taxes increase?

Would Government ownership increase?

What protections would investors receive?

What fiscal rules would prevent runaway deficits?

How would Jamaica remain internationally competitive?

And most importantly:

WHAT DID MICHAEL MANLEY GET WRONG?

Because if a political leader tells me he admires another leader but cannot identify that leader's mistakes, that concerns me.

A mature political movement learns from its heroes.

It doesn't worship them.

MY CHALLENGE TO THE JLP

And JLP supporters—don't start celebrating yet.

Because you don't escape scrutiny either.

If Andrew Holness wants Jamaicans to reject Golding's economic philosophy, then the Government must demonstrate that its alternative produces:

better wages,

affordable housing,

lower crime,

better healthcare,

better education,

opportunities for young Jamaicans,

and economic mobility.

You cannot simply tell poor people:

"Look at the macroeconomic indicators."

while they're struggling to buy groceries.

Economic stability is essential.

But ordinary Jamaicans must eventually feel that stability.

Otherwise, political frustration creates fertile ground for dramatic economic promises.

THIS IS BIGGER THAN GOLDING

My people, listen carefully.

Mark Golding will eventually leave politics.

Andrew Holness will eventually leave politics.

PNP leaders come and go.

JLP leaders come and go.

JAMAICA REMAINS. 🇯🇲

Stop worshipping politicians.

Politicians work for you.

When a politician walks into your community, don't act like royalty has arrived.

Ask questions.

Where are the jobs?

Where are the roads?

Where is the accountability?

Where is the money?

Where are the audited figures?

Where are the results?

DATA IS KING.

THE GENERATION THAT DOESN'T REMEMBER

And this is why history matters.

A Jamaican born in 2000 didn't experience 1976.

Someone born in 1990 didn't experience it either.

So political memories fade.

And when memories disappear, political ideas can return without their historical baggage.

That's why older Jamaicans have a responsibility.

Tell younger people what happened.

But tell them accurately.

Don't exaggerate.

Don't invent.

Don't turn memories into statistics.

Separate what you personally witnessed from what historical records establish.

That's how we preserve credible history.

THE QUESTION JAMAICA MUST ANSWER

So now we arrive at the heart of this presentation.

Should Jamaica fear Mark Golding simply because he uses the words "democratic socialism"?

No.

That's too simplistic.

Should Jamaica scrutinize precisely what he means because of the Country's experience during the 1970s?

Absolutely.

Golding has opened that door himself by invoking Michael Manley's legacy.

And once you invoke that legacy, you don't get to choose only the beautiful chapters.

We examine everything.

Social advancement.

Economic decline.

External shocks.

Government policy.

Political conflict.

Capital flight.

Fiscal deficits.

The IMF.

Everything.

CLOSING: Country BEFORE PARTY

My people, I want to close with this.

I don't care whether your mother was PNP.

I don't care whether your father was JLP.

I don't care whether your entire district has voted for one party for fifty years.

YOU HAVE A BRAIN.

Use it.

Don't inherit political allegiance like an old piece of furniture.

Make politicians earn your vote.

If Mark Golding has the superior plan:

prove it with data.

If Andrew Holness has the superior plan:

prove it with data.

And if neither one has the answer:

Jamaicans have every right to demand better.

Because Jamaica doesn't belong to the PNP.

Jamaica doesn't belong to the JLP.

Jamaica doesn't belong to Mark Golding.

Jamaica doesn't belong to Andrew Holness.

JAMAICA BELONGS TO THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE. 🇯🇲

And when someone tells me in 2026 that Jamaica should once again embrace the philosophy associated with Michael Manley's democratic socialism, I have questions.

Not because somebody told me to be afraid.

Because I read the history.

Between 1972 and 1980, Jamaica's GDP per capita declined almost 30 percent.

Government spending rose from about 23 percent to 45 percent of GDP by 1978.

Jamaica eventually required extraordinary IMF assistance.

External shocks contributed substantially.

And domestic policies contributed too.

Those aren't orange numbers.

Those aren't green numbers.

THEY ARE JAMAICAN NUMBERS.

So Mr. Golding:

If you're going to build upon Michael Manley's legacy, tell Jamaica exactly what you're building.

Please tell us what you're keeping.

Please tell us what you're rejecting.

Tell us what it costs.

And please tell us how you'll pay for it.

Because Jamaica has already paid dearly for economic mistakes.

We cannot afford another experiment without reading the fine print.

My people—

SUBSTANCE OVER POPULARITY.

DATA IS KING.

Country OVER PARTY.

TEAM JAMAICA. 🇯🇲

Whether you agree with me or disagree, don't leave me a political slogan in the comments.

Tell me WHY.

If you lived through the 1970s, tell the younger generation what you personally remember.

If you're younger, tell me what the historical evidence says.

Let's educate one another.

Because an informed Jamaican is much harder for any politician to manipulate.

And that, my people—

is the Jamaica I want to see.

JAMAICAN YOUNG POLICE.

Give me the book and not the gun.

Substance Over Popularity.

Team Jamaica