Poll reveals 60% Jamaicans long for days as colony
(Gleaner): With Jamaica getting ready to celebrate 50 years of political independence from the United Kingdom next year, most Jamaicans are of the view that the country would have been better off had it remained a colony of Britain. Pollster Bill Johnson, who, on May 28 and 29 and June 4 and 5, conducted an islandwide survey among 1,008 people, found that 60 per cent of Jamaicans held the view the country would be better off under British rule. Conversely, 17 per cent of those surveyed said the country would be worse off had it remained a colony of Britain, while 23 per cent said they did not know.
The island has been independent since August 6, 1962, after the lobbying and hard work of individuals such as National Heroes Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley.
But that has failed to impress six in every 10 Jamaicans who long for "the good old days".
The culture ministry has started the process of setting up a secretariat to coordinate and drive the planning for Jamaica's 50th anniversary national celebrations next year. A total of $50 million has been set aside in the national Budget for the celebrations.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has also proposed that Jamaica say "bye-bye" to the Queen (Elizabeth II) as head of state before Independence Day next year.
Category: World News
smh ppl it wouldnt be any better if jamaica didnt get any independence, the only thing might have been different the government would feed us when your jobless just like the u.k ppl need to unite and stop with all this nationality who better than who smh god help our souls..
In 90% of cases, a Caymanian is a Jamaican who has been here long enough to believe they can be rude to Jamaicans who have been here for less time.
Sadly Dr. Pepper is almost right, so few of us here can say ' my navel string buried right here". And who do we blame for that – other 'real' Caymanians.
I think you missed my point. It was really those that have been here for a handful of generations that I was talking about.
Caymanians are British and love it, long live our "Queen" we love her. Thank God for Dr. Roy McTaggart that did not want independence because it gave us the good life, so good that our little islands is home to over 100 different nationalities from every continent.
There is no country that have to roll us out, we love our country and mother country the UK. Yes we love our British Passports and the ability to live all over Europe and most of the world. Every where that we travel we don't need visas thanks to the UK, we love the "Queen".
For anyone who want independence that is your problem, you got your independence, you should have stayed in your independent country and live your independent life we don't envy you, so please go back to your independant country and live independant of the Cayman Islands and the UK. We were and are very happy in our very British Islands and could care less about independence. For the less that 10 thousands indigenous Caymanians we vote to remain British forever.
Caymanians may visit the world but we don't want to live anywhere but home that my friends is true independence.
Thank You, well said, there is no place like home & and HOME is where the Heart is……..
Jamaicans please refrain from answering.
These people have been mentally enslaved. They are full of hatred.
First world country but fourth world mind.
DO NOT REPLY TO THE SMALL MINDED, mentally enslaved people. I beg of you to refrain from answering.
Caymanians need to stop bad-mouthing Jamaica/Jamaicans….
Who is gonna come here & show u how to live the good life….
Who is gonna marry your overweight daughters
Who is gonna take u out of your board houses
90% of Caymanian women it seems prefer to marry Jamaican men..
If Jamaicans are so bad,why u all keep marrying them???
If Jamaicans are so bad,why leave your precious kids with them & pay them $125per week….(wicked)
Yes Jamaicans are bad because u overwork/underpay them & they sup it.
God Help U All!!!
for all you people who denounce the uk's temp direct rule in t&ci….remember they are just trying prevent another jamiaca/haiti from happening…
First of all let just say this. I spent some time in one of the better areas of Jamaica recently and had a great time. I will agree that Jamaica has quite a lot of natural resources and attractions that we don't have here in Cayman. However please be reminded that Rock Hole, Watlers Road (Dog City) Sheddon Road(Monkey Town) were one time populated by respectible, honest, hard working proud people and some of those families remain today. Some were poor in material possession but rich in principles. The true Caymanian/ sheddon road folks are among the nicest you would find any where in the world. Those areas were always as clean as a whistle until some nasty people moved in. People who thought nothing of throwing their food and drink containers out of their car windows and too cheap to pay garbage fees and created heaps of household refuse in their back yards. We,Caymanian people, allowed people from various countries to come and change the entire landscape of our islands. We sat by and accepted them with open arms and they have contributed to the sullying of our country to the nth degree. I suppose we expected them to behave and live like civilised people!! All of this is horrible but it can be cleaned up if enough effort is made. However the biggest problem in our country is the imported Jamaica style politics that is being portrayed by our Premier and his followers. That my friends is the demon that we have to subdue and cast out. I am sure that is to blame for most of the problems in Jamaica and it is the blame for most of the problems in Cayman
Where I live in the UK 60% of the population is Jamaican – guess they voted with their feet. LOL 🙂
That's a very insulting and racial remark, because if you find limited opportunities in your own country to feed your family, wouldn't you go somewhere else to make a salary to feed them? Does that make UK citizens better than Jamaicans, because where they come from?
What was insulting and racial about that comment? There are lots of Jamaicans and every nationality in the world living in the UK. Maybe they did vote with their feet cos they left Jamaica to live in UK, which is ruled by the Queen. Although we all know why Jamaicans were 'invited' to England all those years ago, which is a very insulting, racial history story.
I orginally meant this as a light-hearted comment but if you choose to take offence consider this.
If they were working I might agree with you but that isn't the case – the vast majority live on welfare benefits supplemented by the proceeds of various criminal activities. It's a soft option – the families get supported by the state and it's a damn sight safer than trying to survive in somewhere like Spanish Town.
I don't blame or criticise anyone for doing this but please don't give me that 'coming to the UK for work' nonsense because round here even the Jamaicans will laugh in your face when you suggest it.
Jamaica is so good since independence that almost 60% of the total population live outside of the country.
I am positive that should the UK say today that they are willing to give 100 residencies away to Jamaican nationals and there are no restrictions to the application believe me the entire resident population of Jamaica would apply and those living in other countries.
That's now good it is in Jamaica and how good independence is.
Problem is, I have not met a Jamaican that has left their country because of Independence. Usually, it is to find a jobs and that has nothing to do with their Independence, but the governance of their country – the political corruption there.
"… nothing to do with their Independence, but the governance of their country – the political corruption there".
Do you not realise that they are connected? Independence creates a power vacuum and where the accountability mechanisms are non-existent or not in proper working order corruption will flourish.
Not really… because you have countries that are Independent and low crime.
where please?
name 2
If Independace is not the reason than what is? Greed, power, and enslavment of the people, their Government sold out the country just like what is happening here, they broke their back by keeping their people divided, some living in squaller while those who hob-knob with the politions live like fat-cats, where do you think Dudas got his power? He fed the poor and hungry, while the government let them starve, he found away to conduct illegal drug operations because he gave them what they couldnt get for them selves, we don't want a drug king pin ruling our country, therefore before we get that bad we taking over country..
Let me enlighten you "I suppose you haven't visited" as for 3rd world conditions in Cayman and you named some some areas let me bring some clarity to your assumption as I see you have not been in Cayman long enough. The Swamp, an area that was not developed until the 80s and was quite a middle class community until an influx of Jamaican began and that nationality single handed created the living conditions that exists there today and that is a fact.
As for Monkey Town, I would gladly trade it for Greater Portmore and all of St. Catherine, need I say more?
Dog City is worth much more that the entire Kingston, Jamaica.
Rock Hole was again a middle class Caymanian community until an influx of Jamaican came in and over night changed the area.
Every deporable looking area in this country was started by the kind of Jamaicans that have no civic pride they litter and run down every neighbourhood that they get into,
So as for cleaning up our own back yard, I just wish that we would by getting rid of the likes of you and those of your mentality. I beg you do us the favour have the social graces to leave us to our ghettos you and all your people and return to your paradise, we can and will do fine in our 3rd world back yard without the like of you.
my slum is better than your slum….zzzzzzzz
You hire those same Jamaicans to clean the muck out of your homes, dirty cars and take care of your children while you go out getting wasted. You accuse them of creating mess yet they have to clean up the mess you make. Don't even begin to say you clean your own home. Caymanians are so damn bitter towards that nation of ppl its sickening. Go ahead and blame Jamaicans for all the problems we have here…that'll solve them you twit! Born and raised Caymanian here!
Jamaicans stop answering the negativity.
CNS does not post any positives about Jamaica, read the news back home and see the many areas that Jamaicans and Jamaica are excelling in!
Some people love the bad news from Jamaica as that is the only way they can feel good about their country, that is something to laugh about.
News outlets generally do not favour publishing good news over bad. There are clearly many more negative stories about Cayman on here than positive. It has nothing to do with Jamaica in particular. Take the chip of your shoulder.
Long live the Queen! and her regime!
60% of jamaicans were not BORN under British rule thats why!!
Okay, stick a pin; the July 2010 estimate for the Jamaican population was 2,847,232 [info from wikipedia], now the poll in question was done by 1,008 people.
Let’s do the math; that is less than 4% of the total population much less 60%. How can that be an accurate representation of anything? I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with the topic of the poll but simply the legitimacy of the poll itself.
This shouldn’t even have been released honestly.
Thats it?? Not saying that the poll is right or how accurate it is, but have a look a sample sizes on wiki before trying to educate the public with your 3rd grade math.
Though this poll may be ridiculous as only 1008 ppl participated; I have to agree with the 60% that voted Jamaica would have been much better off had the country not gone independent.
I am not in a position to comment on the actual sampling procedure for this particular poll. But, a sample of this size would in fact have enough "power" (i.e. validity), to be an accurate representation of the overall population.
Lots of "buts" however, you can not simply dismiss it based on sampling size.
Statisticians know that a sample is a sample. It is not a valid and factual census of the total number of a population. I don't think there is that much "power" in this poll. Polls have been known to be way off the true mark.
"Poll reveals 60% Jamaicans long for days as colony"
NONSENSE! ANOTHER ONE OF BILL JOHNSON'S POLL TO SUPPORT A FALSE CLAIM.
You might be right when you say that it was not independance, but political corruption that has lead to the decline in Jamaica. But what has allowed the political corruption to take hold? The answer is a lack of oversight and a lack of supervision. A lack of being held to account.
That oversight comes from having a protecting power, such as the UK.
Soooo… if you are with the UK that = Oversight?
I don't get that. LOl… the 2009 MP expense scandals in the UK of official corruption there, was a huge and unfortunate OVERSIGHT!
The UK no longer undertakes a truly supervisory role in its overseas territories. It no longer intervenes to ensure good governance, or to proactively prevent mal-administation. While the UK may claim that is at the request of the territories who have been asking for more internal self government, I suspect it also suits the ends of some of their operatives, to throw the suckers in at the deep end without any flotation devices (checks and balances) and then take over when they can't stay a float, as the UK did in Turks and Caicos.
Please note that I wrote "some of their operatives". I believe that UK bureaucrats and politicians usually gravitate towards one of three viewpoints on OT's: (a) those who don't give a damn, or (b) those who would like to see the OT's become successful models of good governance, or (c) those who think that the OT's are inherently incapable and should be given enough rope to prove just that. At any point in time, actual UK policy (as opposed to official policy) is a dynamic result of those three view points.
Jamaica's Independence represents Jamaica's liberation from Colonial Rule. A poll by 1000 Jamaicans – must be youngsters that don't know their history. That poll does not represent the 2+ million Jamaicans that celebrate their Independence annually.
Right. Since you don't agree with it the research must be wrong.
Couldn't be that peopel just like any excuse for a party. (Witness the number that party during a hurricane. I bet they'd poll against hurricanes if asked, however.)
Its 'critical' thinking like this that sinks countries. I worry for Cayman. (I assume lolipop is a Cayman-local poster, i.e., this has nothing to do with Jamaicans.)
LOL… THE VALIDITY OF WACKY POLLS!
Karl Samuda, JLP general secretary, speaking about one of Bill Johnson's polls which stated that Mrs. Simpson Miller has boosted the PNP's chances of winning a fifth term, the governing party having been in office since 1989, states, "It is a pity that a poll like this has been elevated to the level that it has, because Mr. Johnson is a well-known pollster for the People's National Party and I believe that that in someway compromises the integrity of the poll."
See – http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060321/lead/lead6.html
Now this poll of only 1008 Jamaicans and has a margin of error to it, I can't see how it is taken to be so accurate when the pollster himself uses the polls as PNP advantage to support their policies.
This is clearly a rather unfortunate sign of the mess that Jamaica now finds itself in today.
When surrounded by daily chaos and turbulence it is almost impossible to see the bigger picture.
What this survey failed to consider are the external factors that have contributed to the economic and socioeconomic hardships that exist in countries like Jamaica today.
When "out-of-the-loop" nations like Jamaica decide to go independent, a planned and orchestrated tactic is devised to ensure both the impossibility of economic growth and the breakdown of civility within the country.
For example, for hundreds of years (slavery) Jamaica was a major cash cow and source of natural resources / agriculture for not only its inhabitants but much of the Western world. Fast forward to the 1980's and 1990's and all of a sudden people are hungry and the country is mysteriously unable to feed itself, much less sustain a thriving industry of agriculture.
However, the mystery is somewhat resolved when one acknowldges and understands the callous policies of institutions such as the IMF / World Bank / Inter-American (Latin American & Caribbean) "Development" Bank. (It is important to note and understand the bases, headquarters and entities behind these institutions.)
The nature of the currency policies, lending "agreements", treaties and trade partnerships of these institutions are not intended to aid "development" in such countries, but instead to DESTROY them.
When one understands that these institutions and their benefactors actually profit from and thrive off of the hardships and socioeconomic failures of the nations in question then it becomes clear that their was never a "mystery" in the first place.
Interestingly as we look around the world today and as we see many European countries in turmoil (Greece is involved in bloody street riots at this very moment) the people are finally beginning to understand how this world is structured.
They finally see that the traditionally shunned and disrespected people of the "third world" were not inherently ignorant, violent, uneducated, poor or inferior. No, most, if not all, of the economic hardships in this world are by deliberate and careful design.
Traditionally most people dismissed the expectations of people by way of race, color or region, but today the aforementioned hardships have arrived at their backdoor.
The western media has done an EXCELLENT job of instilling prejudice, blind patriotism and arrogance into the collective mindset of "nationalities" however, the world is awakening to the smoke and mirrors that have beenpropped up around them for decades now.
Ironically, the "colonial masters" have experienced their own share of riots and protests. Their economy is one of the worst in the EU with almost 20% of its children now being brought up in "workless homes" (i.e. being housed, fed and clothed by the British government.)
The simple fact is that regardless of history, background, race or creed – when people are made destitute they will resort to desperate and unthinkable measures to survive.
Jamaica, like many other "developing" countries was never expected to be a success and the powers that dominate this world saw to it that this was the case.
The people that make up the nation of Jamaica are so far removed on so many levels from the "in-the-loop" type of people that there is no question as to why they have endured such hardship since independence.
Of course, all of this is not to excuse internal corruption and mismanagement, however, the internal factors are always subsequent to a pre-existence of corruption and callous policies from the outside.
Therefore the findings of such a survey are far too simplistic to be given any consideration. Most people in the world are unaware of its realities or are simply too preoccupied with their daily survival to consider the external factors that create and contribute to their hardship.
"The world to a man is what he sees."
* I am certain many folks on here will disagree with my perspective but this is the reality of the world in which we have lived and are living. Those that outrightly reject such reasoning are stuck in the misguided past and fortunately are a dying breed.
This "democratically elected western world" is actually built to mimick a pyramid – and as we know there is not much room at the top and PLENTY of room at the bottom.
(If you don't believe me you can go ask the 23 year old Athenian that has just hurled a slab of concrete at the city's riot police. Or perhaps you should interview the young British men that jumped upon Prince Charles' limo and jabbed his Camilla in her royal side.)
Thankyou for a well thought out response, I enjoyed reading it, as an Englishman. I would be interested to hear your views on Zimbabwe, this country was the bread basket of Southern Africa, who do you think is to blame for the utter chaos in that country today?.
You're welcome, I am happy to hear that you enjoyed my post kind Sir.
As for Zimbabwe – I am afraid I would not be of much help in that regard.
However, considering your status as an Englishman there is no reason for you to venture so far from home in order to execute a case study.
There are many issues within the UK and its surrounding region that when examined will prove to be as interesting and perplexing.
Hard to see how you can blame the Jamaican trainwreck on anyone other than the Jamaicans.
I'm sorry, but you would have really been better off not replying to my post.
Leave him alone…at least he didnt' mention the Chagos Islanders….this time…
That tired remark is getting quite old now buddy.
I think someone's due for an upgrade.
🙂
* It appears that particular issue has really struck a chord with many posters – wonder why.
Whodatis,
Just a friendly little zinger…believe it or not, I actually agree with you 100% when it comes to your views on how the Chagosians were and are being (mis)treated….
Well if that is right I don't understand your post because it joins those who make light of the Chagossians fate.
Caymanians did you read that report? Jamaicans regret leaving British colonial rule! No surprise. They were flourishing when the British were in charge. Now Cayman led by a dictator seems to be a waterhead baby incapable of learning from their neighbors. They seem to think that Independence is the way to go well is will be the biggest mistake ever if the Cayman Islands decide to go independent.
That would be all we need to strengthen the arm of these recent Dictators especially McKeeva Bush a home grown Dicktator disgusting the majorityof the people of the Cayman Islands,
Our experiences with him should be proof that Independence is NOT THE WAY TO GO. Make that clear to the UK andthe UN. tey can't force it on us.
Before all you Colonialist jump for joy, believing you have been vindicate please consider this, there are two types of sicknesses former colonies suffer from (1) They don’t expect much out of life (2) They always believe someone else can or should fix their problems. If you expect a nation to be ignorant and free you expect what never was and can never be. Mind conditioning is what colonialism promotes and has helped it’s longevity in our society. How sad when some choose to ignore or become numb to those who suffered indignations of the past.
The Jamaicans went for what they thought was a free lunch, and now that they have eaten it are having indigestion.
Caymanians are in danger of doing the same thing.
I am Jamaican and that's because Britain has better things than Jamaica, and so it is easy for a desperate Jamaican looking for a better life to assume such a belief. But this poll is misdirected from the real issue. Jamaica is the way it is now not because of her Independence from Great Britain, but because of her political corruption. If Independece attributed to Jamaica's poor state, then America who Independent should as well have been poor like Jamaica. But that us not the case. Many countries severed ties from England and are doing well. Rather, it was political corruption that destroyed Jamaica. I am Jamaican and I know this for a fact. You speak to any Jamaican that knows Jamaica and they will say it was the party politics, introduction of CIA guns, and paying off politicians, and corruption that attributed to Jamaica's decline.
Do a fair poll of how many Jamaicans celebrate their independence from Britian and are proud of their heritage, and trust me you will get more than 60% Jamaica love their Independence. When Independence Day come it is a big celebration across the island… so I don't know how they can come with this poll.
They can come with this poll because its accurate.
As you and others have pointed out the 'development' discussion in relation to Jamaica (or anywehre else) is a lot more complicated than 'do you think you're better off now than you were 50 years ago'? Depending on the metric they use (crime, perhaps) some % of people in Cayman would also answer no.
By attempting to reject the poll because you don't agree with it you weaken your arguments for why the poll found what they found. (i.e., corruption, etc.) Either the poll found something, which you can propose reasons for, or they didn't, in which case your reasonign is baseless.
thats exactly what's happening here now, and mast j-cans are supporting the power, they believe love them. stop look change your beliefs as the current >>>>>>>>>> are only careing 4 themselves and will drop anyone and everyone once the pan get hot. and it is getting hot.
This can't be a surprise. Just look at the living conditions, wealth disparity and gang rule in that country. Can you imagine the perception of Cayman by foreign governments or investors if Big Mac or any of the current politico pool didn't have at least a UK desk clerk advising him?
I suppose you haven't visited Swamp, Monkey Town, Dog City or Rock Hole in your own rapidly becoming 3rd world country. For an island so much smaller than Jamaica you have quite a few deplorable looking areas so before you criticize check out your own back yard……Idiot!
These areas are equivalent to middle class jamaica….
I am an American tourist who visited the island late last year for almost three weeks. You ppl give that little 76 square miles dot in the ocean waaaayyyy too much credit. 90% of the world has not heard of Cayman and the islands are not mentioned on most maps. The only marginally beautiful area was West Bay Road. I wish people would stop comparing Cayman to other caribbean islands especially Jamaica. The latter has far more to offer in beauty and culture. My family and I would never vacation in the Caymans again. Complete waste of our time and money.
To each his own. So you like it more hilly and more picturesque and apparently you like it impoverished as well. Cayman is what you get when you give an island a functional economy.
Cayman is more poverty stricken than Caymanians will admit. Not to mention only the impoverished looking areas on island but the amount of ppl who are in serious debt and can't even provide lunch money for their kids. Many go to school with dry mouths and roaring bellies. You ppl need to face the facts…this is not the rich little island in the caribbean sea anymore.There is probably more suffering here now than most caribbean countries….Jamaica included.
Your speaking the truth, we are not the country that we USE to be, we are very close to the other 3rd world countries around us, the only ppl that don't see or FEEL this are those who help to put us where we are.
Families here are suffering unbeliablely, caymanians are very proud & dignified ppl, we bear the unbearable, and suffer in silence.
We will go without the basic necessities to keep our good names reperable.
Our people have given of themselves so long now that we no longer have anything to give.
And unfortunately our children as much as we try to shield them from the sufferation that surrounds them ARE feeling this more than many of us may want to believe.
many of the suffering, roaring bellies, social services recipients are status holders — that's very obvious – just check our schools. If these all left the island there would be a much smaller budget allocated to SS and alot less to be spent on education! That would be a plus for Caymanians.
Depends what you are looking for in a vacation – if you think West Bay Road was the only marginally beautiful area. How can you say West Bay Road is beautiful? Did you not go East?