From various reports, Jamaica’s opposition party, the People’s National Party (PNP), held a very enthusiastic and productive national conference, its 86th, over the past weekend. During the conference, party leader Mark Golding gave an impressive speech. However, remarkably, several headlines in the immediate aftermath of the conference related to the appearance on the conference stage of notorious Jamaican entertainer Adidja Palmer, aka Vybz Kartel.
According to reports, Kartel received a raucous ovation from PNP supporters packed inside Kingston’s National Arena when he appeared on stage, wearing a mask in the PNP colors of orange and raising his hands in the PNP’s clenched fist salute.
From the reports and reactions on social media, it seems most PNP supporters, especially the youth, are enthusiastic about Kartel’s support for the party. The conference organizers acknowledged his support by allowing him prominence on stage with his attorney, Isat Buchannan. However, there are also several PNP supporters, and non-supporters, who are extremely critical of the party giving such prominence to Kartel.
The criticism arises from Kartel’s reputation as a criminal and a convicted murderer, even though he was recently released from a prison sentence related to his conviction. In 2014, Kartel was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 35 years for the murder of one Clive “Lizard” Williams. On March 14 of this year, the London-based Privy Council overturned his conviction, along with those of three men co-accused with him, citing jury misconduct. The Privy Council then resubmitted the case to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal to decide whether the men would be retried or released. On July 31, a panel of judges led by the president of the Court of Appeal freed Kartel and his co-accused. According to the judges, there were at least 12 factors that motivated their decision to release the men from their sentences for murder.
Despite the new controversy, several PNP members, including ranking members, seem to be of the firm opinion that Kartel’s support could be of significant benefit in the next general elections, due before September 2025, because of his strong popularity with some Jamaicans. It is believed his support could be instrumental in the youth turnout for the party.
Historically, Jamaica’s main political parties have had traditional associations with individuals identified as criminals. These associations surged in the late 1960s and were quite evident during the politically turbulent years of the 1970s. Alleged gunmen served as informal bodyguards for political candidates from both the PNP and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), and criminal elements, popular as “dons” or leaders of their inner-city and garrison communities, were instrumental in mobilizing votes for the political party they were associated with. On the other hand, some of these criminals also intimidated individuals who showed or were known to support the party opposed by the criminals. It is widely believed that the violence marking the period leading to the 1980 general elections was carried out by criminal elements associated with both major parties.
Criminal elements associated with political parties are by no means characteristic of only Jamaican politics. Across the world, criminal elements have been powerful supporters of political candidates and parties. It was widely alleged that the victory of Democrat John F. Kennedy over Republican Richard Nixon in the U.S. 1960 presidential elections was due to the support of the Mafia.
Whether acknowledged or not, and whether liked or not, it is a fact that individuals popular with the public—including notorious criminals or former notorious criminals, sportsmen and women, and entertainers—can help mobilize votes for a political party or candidate, especially in close elections. This is why popular U.S. entertainer Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is so welcomed by the Harris/Walz campaign.
Those who criticize the PNP’s acceptance of Kartel’s support see it as the party aligning itself with a criminal even while it criticizes the government for being weak in controlling violent crime in the country. Some view the party’s acceptance of Kartel as blatantly hypocritical where the fight against crime is concerned. This may be true, but politics often leads politicians to associate with unsavory characters in their bid to seek power. Modern politics is increasingly proving not to be something for moralists or the faint-hearted. Politics aims for a singular end—election victory.
With this end in mind, politicians and political parties will take, and are taking, whatever means necessary to justify the end of election victory. Some people may rightfully criticize the PNP’s open acceptance of support from a convicted murderer, although he has been freed. However, if Kartel’s support helps the party win the ensuing general elections, its acceptance of Kartel’s support will definitely be regarded as justifiable.
