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Blaine's New Nation Coalition merges with NDM
BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundet@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, February 03, 2011
JAMAICA'S newest political party, the New Nation Coalition (NNC), has merged with the struggling National Democratic Party (NDM) to form the National Coalition, in what officials said is a move to rescue the country from the current state of divided and tribal political process.
NNC leader Betty Ann Blaine made the announcement yesterday during a press conference at the organisations' shared secretariat in Kingston.
"This coalition is calling the country to unity and I am saying to every Jamaican from every walk of life to join us in tearing down the walls of division and instead let us work together to build bridges of unity, respect, cooperation and collaboration in order to rescue our country from the clear and present danger looming over this nation," Blaine told reporters.
She said the decision to merge the parties was made after two months of discussions.
Blaine and the NDM's Earle DeLisser will be co-leaders of the National Coalition. "Two heads are better that one," Blaine quipped when asked about the leadership of the organisation.
In the meantime, Blaine said that the National Coalition has already started to work on campaign and electoral reforms as well as the task of securing 50,000 signatures that the coalition will need to participate in the electoral process, which she said are issues of critical importance at this time.
"We want Jamaicans to understand that coalition means working together, we want Jamaicans to understand that coalition means unity," Blaine said.
She added: "For too long the people of Jamaica have been divided and disrespected; as we approach our 50th year of independence and 66 years since the two major political parties have governed this country, it is absolutely shameful (to see) the deteriorating conditions in Jamaica."
Blaine, who extended an invitation to religious groups, non-governmental organisations, trade unions, independent candidates and other organisations to join forces with the New Coalition, said the organisation is open to everyone who is serious about change and is committed to rescuing Jamaica.
DeLisser, meanwhile, who said his party had been barely existing on a "shoe string" budget, welcomed the opportunity to join forces with the NNC whose aim, he said, is similar to that of the NDM.
He said both parties have identified certain priority areas such as crime and justice, economy, health and education on which they will have discussions before making their stance on each issue public.
DeLisser said the coalition should be viewed as a "good thing" that will benefit the country and should bring about a change as it had in Trinidad where two small parties had come together.
Chairman of the NDM, Peter Townsend, said it time for Jamaicans to take a stand against the spiral downtrend of the country and to put the country first and forget about the partisan combative politics.
"After so many years of broken promises, corruption, non-transparency, neglect, bungling, gamesmanship, ginalship, clansmanship and donmanship, it's about time for Jamaicans to start giving themselves and ourselves a real chance in restoring Jamaica to a path of honour," he said.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz1Cvhd6Gth
BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundet@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, February 03, 2011
JAMAICA'S newest political party, the New Nation Coalition (NNC), has merged with the struggling National Democratic Party (NDM) to form the National Coalition, in what officials said is a move to rescue the country from the current state of divided and tribal political process.
NNC leader Betty Ann Blaine made the announcement yesterday during a press conference at the organisations' shared secretariat in Kingston.
"This coalition is calling the country to unity and I am saying to every Jamaican from every walk of life to join us in tearing down the walls of division and instead let us work together to build bridges of unity, respect, cooperation and collaboration in order to rescue our country from the clear and present danger looming over this nation," Blaine told reporters.
She said the decision to merge the parties was made after two months of discussions.
Blaine and the NDM's Earle DeLisser will be co-leaders of the National Coalition. "Two heads are better that one," Blaine quipped when asked about the leadership of the organisation.
In the meantime, Blaine said that the National Coalition has already started to work on campaign and electoral reforms as well as the task of securing 50,000 signatures that the coalition will need to participate in the electoral process, which she said are issues of critical importance at this time.
"We want Jamaicans to understand that coalition means working together, we want Jamaicans to understand that coalition means unity," Blaine said.
She added: "For too long the people of Jamaica have been divided and disrespected; as we approach our 50th year of independence and 66 years since the two major political parties have governed this country, it is absolutely shameful (to see) the deteriorating conditions in Jamaica."
Blaine, who extended an invitation to religious groups, non-governmental organisations, trade unions, independent candidates and other organisations to join forces with the New Coalition, said the organisation is open to everyone who is serious about change and is committed to rescuing Jamaica.
DeLisser, meanwhile, who said his party had been barely existing on a "shoe string" budget, welcomed the opportunity to join forces with the NNC whose aim, he said, is similar to that of the NDM.
He said both parties have identified certain priority areas such as crime and justice, economy, health and education on which they will have discussions before making their stance on each issue public.
DeLisser said the coalition should be viewed as a "good thing" that will benefit the country and should bring about a change as it had in Trinidad where two small parties had come together.
Chairman of the NDM, Peter Townsend, said it time for Jamaicans to take a stand against the spiral downtrend of the country and to put the country first and forget about the partisan combative politics.
"After so many years of broken promises, corruption, non-transparency, neglect, bungling, gamesmanship, ginalship, clansmanship and donmanship, it's about time for Jamaicans to start giving themselves and ourselves a real chance in restoring Jamaica to a path of honour," he said.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz1Cvhd6Gth
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