By Dean Jones
31 October 2025
This week, I had the opportunity to speak with one of Britain’s most respected journalists, Andrew Marr, on LBC — the UK’s largest commercial news radio station, with over 3.4 million listeners.
You can watch the full interview here: 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkQ9SWjTVFA
It was an honour to discuss the situation on the ground in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, which has left much of the country reeling. Speaking with Andrew, a broadcaster who has interviewed global figures such as Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin, offered a platform to share Jamaica’s story — not just of devastation, but of resilience, resourcefulness, and determination.
Sharing Jamaica’s Reality with the World
When a storm of this magnitude hits, the headlines often focus on the numbers — wind speeds, rainfall, damages — but it’s the people who carry the true story.
During the interview, I spoke about what life has been like in the immediate aftermath:
the silence when communications went down, the scramble for fuel and cash, and the extraordinary efforts of communities pulling together to help one another.
In towns like St. Ann, St. Mary, and St. Elizabeth — our island’s “bread basket” — the loss has been immense. Homes have been destroyed, crops washed away, and power still not restored in some parishes. Yet, amid all that hardship, there’s a deep sense of togetherness. Jamaicans are clearing roads, checking on neighbours, sharing what little they have, and keeping faith alive.
A Voice for Real Issues: Infrastructure, Insurance, and Planning
My conversation with Andrew wasn’t just about the storm — it was about what the storm revealed.
For too long, Jamaica has been vulnerable not only to natural disasters but to systemic weaknesses: poor infrastructure, unaffordable insurance, and a lack of strategic planning.
As I’ve said before, resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about designing systems that keep working when everything else fails.
Global Attention, Local Change
Being able to speak with outlets like BBC News, CNN, and now LBC, has given Jamaica’s experience a global platform.
These conversations are about more than exposure — they are about accountability. The world must see that while Jamaica is strong, it cannot continue to rebuild alone. We need partnerships, innovation, and humility from our leaders to accept international expertise where it’s needed most.
Andrew Marr’s questions were insightful and compassionate — focused not just on damage, but on the broader picture of governance, climate resilience, and the social fabric that holds the island together.
And it matters that audiences in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and beyond are hearing the truth directly from Jamaicans living through it.
Rebuilding With Purpose
As we move into recovery, it’s time to think beyond patchwork solutions.
We must plan, not just pray. We must build homes, businesses, and systems that can withstand what the climate is now throwing at us.
Jamaica has the talent, creativity, and spirit to lead the Caribbean in sustainable reconstruction — but we need bold, forward-thinking leadership and a commitment to equity.
Because every family that rebuilds without help is one more reminder of the gap between what is and what could be.
Closing Reflections
The interview with Andrew Marr reminded me that while hurricanes expose what’s broken, they also reveal what endures — our humanity, our pride, and our determination.
Jamaica remains a valuable nation, rich in resourcefulness and resilience.
That’s the message I’ll continue to carry — in every interview, every conversation, and every project we undertake through Jamaica Homes.
🎥 Watch the full interview on LBC’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkQ9SWjTVFA