KINGSTON, Jamaica – A well-known pastor has launched the Jamaica First Movement (JFM), which he will be seeking to have registered as a political party to contest the general election.
According to Reverend Al Miller, if successful in the goal to establish a government of national unity, the party will only exist for a five-year term.
He says the decision to launch the movement was made after he wrote to the country’s two main political parties to form a coalition, but did not receive formal expressions of interest.
Speaking on local radio, Miller said he met with one of the political parties to provide details on the proposal, but there was no commitment to an alliance.
“We would have preferred a natural coalition of the existing parties, if they would be open to it, in spite the challenges. That has proven difficult. So hence, we have created as we had said to the public in the beginning of the year, to establish a special purpose vehicle for one five-year term to be able to accomplish the goals, led by a team of coaches who will work with those who have the call and the commitment to put Jamaica first and to be able to advance it. So hence this is the special purpose vehicle,” he outlined.
Miller said having secured the initial investment, the Jamaica first movement is calling for the support of patriotic Jamaicans.
The movement is seeking to attract people from across the political spectrum, the private sector, the church and the civil society.
Miller says he will be gauging the reactions to JFM before taking the next step of registering it as a political party.
“That piece of it is our next phase, but we first want to sell the vision because what we are saying is we are open. Political parties who exist, if they committed to the principle of unity, can become a part. So in the next week or so we will do whatever is necessary on that side, but currently it’s a vision and a call that we are making and if our people are committed to one something new, then therefore we will do whatever is necessary,” he said.
