Campaigns sprint into overdrive - PM makes biblical case for third term

Likening his administration to the servants in the biblical parable of the talents, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness last night declared that his government has been a faithful steward and urged Jamaicans to grant the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) a third term in office.

In announcing the country's 19th general election for Wednesday, September 3, Holness said his administration, like the diligent servants, has worked tirelessly to grow and multiply the resources entrusted to it, ensuring Jamaica benefits from prudent management of the economy.

"We are good stewards, and we ask you the people, the masters, to make a judgement, to make a choice on who will steward your affairs," he said.

Nomination Day is Monday, August 18. The announcement sent ripples of excitement and anticipation through the nation, igniting political fervour across all parties and communities.

The dates mirror 2020, when nomination day was also August 18 and election day was September 3. Then, Holness' JLP secured a resounding 49-14 win over the People's National Party (PNP) in the 63-seat House of Representatives. Thirteen seats were won with margins under 1,000, seven of them by the JLP.

Fast-forward five years and Holness has declared his administration "the best performing government in the history of Jamaica".

Addressing a packed crowd at Half-Way Tree last night, he urged party workers to campaign hard to secure a third term for the party. Additionally, he asked Jamaicans to give his government another year in office to continue the work it started.

"You now know the date, you now know the time, we ask you to choose wisely, choose Jamaica, choose the Jamaica Labour Party," Holness urged.

Also on September 3, by-elections will be held in four vacant municipal corporation seats - Chancery Hall, Olympic Gardens, Seivwright Gardens and Denham Town.

Meanwhile, with the JLP's campaign machinery already in full motion, Holness announced free transportation to all school children the using state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company for September and October. The benefit is also opened to tertiary level students with valid identification cards.

He also announced that tertiary level students who maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or above can apply to the Student Loan Bureau for a reduction in the interest rate on their loans. He said the government is currently considering extending the repayment period for student loans, which would lead to a reduction in the monthly payments.

For the JLP, which has held power since 2016, this election is a critical test of its record on economic growth, infrastructure development, and crime reduction.

"We intend to make Jamaica the most peaceful country in this region," Holness said. "I know we can do it and we will do it," Holness added.

He said his government is on target to bringing murders below 800, which would be the lowest in decades.

Additionally, he said the Government will embark on a massive drive to expand the supply of affordable housing solutions on the market.

Holness, referencing the record low unemployment rate of 3.3 per cent, urged Jamaicans not to allow the PNP back in power.

"Jamaica needs to stay on this path for the longest time," Holness said. "If it is one thing that I must do it is to make sure that nothing derails the economy," he added.

In a thinly-veiled jab at PNP president Mark Golding, Holness said "No poor person in Jamaica should allow that man to touch the economy because he and his friend will go back to the high interest rate policies so that they can benefit from it". He pointed out that Golding was a member of an investment house that benefited from the financial sector meltdown of the 1990s.

The PNP has been clamouring for the election date to be announced. On Saturday night, Golding, speaking at a meeting in Portland, expressed confidence his party would be victorious at the polls.

"We want the voice of the people to be heard. We will respect the decision of the people. But in my heart, I know the people want change," Golding said.

The PNP's last election victory came in 2011, when Portia Simpson Miller steered the party to a commanding 42-21 seat win over the JLP. But in 2016, Holness pulled off a razor-thin triumph, guiding his party to a 32-31 edge over the PNP.

For Golding, the government has not delivered for the people of Jamaica and will be booted come election day.

"The people are tired of this wicked and uncaring government. The people are tired of the stagnant economy with the minister of economic growth not delivering any growth being the prime minister himself, who can't be certified. The people want change and I man, Markie G, Mark Jefferson Golding, and the team I have ... We are going to deliver that change," he said.

The JLP has held office for 13 of the last 18 years, including two separate stretches in government -- first from 2007 to 2011 under Bruce Golding, and then from 2016 to the present under Holness.