Workers Party of Jamaica
Encyclopedia
The Workers Party of Jamaica (WPJ) was a Marxist political party
in Jamaica
. WPJ was founded on 17 December 1978, by Trevor Munroe
, along with Elean Thomas and others. Munroe, a Rhodes scholar from Oxford University, served as its general secretary. The forerunner of WPJ was the Workers Liberation League.
WPJ was a "critical ally" of the People's National Party
of Michael Manley
. With WPJ backing the PNP government developed closer relations to Cuba
, which irritated the United States
. However, in the late 1970s, the WPJ participated in Jamaican popular resistance to fiscal controls imposed on the country by the International Monetary Fund
and accepted by Manley. The 1980 elections resulted in a victory of the rightist Jamaica Labour Party
. Manley's association with the communist WPJ may have contributed to his defeat.
The WPJ youth organization, Young Communist League of WPJ, was a member of the World Federation of Democratic Youth
.
By 1992 the WPJ was defunct.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. WPJ was founded on 17 December 1978, by Trevor Munroe
Trevor Munroe
Trevor St George Munroe is a Jamaican political scientist, labour activist, and politician.Munroe went to high school at St...
, along with Elean Thomas and others. Munroe, a Rhodes scholar from Oxford University, served as its general secretary. The forerunner of WPJ was the Workers Liberation League.
WPJ was a "critical ally" of the People's National Party
People's National Party
The People's National Party is a social democratic and social liberal Jamaican political party, founded by Norman Manley in 1938. It is the oldest political party in the Anglophone Caribbean and one of the main two political parties in Jamaica. Out of the two major parties, it is considered more...
of Michael Manley
Michael Manley
Michael Norman Manley ON OCC was the fourth Prime Minister of Jamaica . Manley was a democratic socialist....
. With WPJ backing the PNP government developed closer relations to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, which irritated the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. However, in the late 1970s, the WPJ participated in Jamaican popular resistance to fiscal controls imposed on the country by the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
and accepted by Manley. The 1980 elections resulted in a victory of the rightist Jamaica Labour Party
Jamaica Labour Party
The Jamaica Labour Party is one of the two major political parties in Jamaica, the other being the People's National Party. Despite its name, the JLP is a centre-right, conservative party.-Background:...
. Manley's association with the communist WPJ may have contributed to his defeat.
The WPJ youth organization, Young Communist League of WPJ, was a member of the World Federation of Democratic Youth
World Federation of Democratic Youth
The World Federation of Democratic Youth is a progressive youth organization, recognized by the United Nations as an international youth non-governmental organization. WFDY describes itself as an "anti-imperialist, left-wing" organisation...
.
By 1992 the WPJ was defunct.