Jamaica’s incumbent party gets green light to stay on course
MAKING OLD
TRADITIONS NEW.
THIS IS THE
NEW NEW YORK.
Caribbean Life, Sept. 11-17, 2020 11
One third of Jamaica’s
three million population
decided they
would rather live in
a green island than relinquish
governance to a political party
they believe could subject
them to an uncertain future
the orange symbolic People’s
National Party promised.
On Sept. 3 many withstood
rain and long lines to cast majority
of the popular votes to the
Jamaica Labour Party which
vowed to “Build Back Stronger.”
The slogan proved strategic
despite strikes against the
incumbent conservative green
alliance facing surging infections
from COVID-19; social distancing
restrictions during public
campaigns and unseasonably
inclement weather.
Despite the fact the election
was announced six months ahead
of the constitutionally mandated
time-frame, and when the pandemic
virus claimed twice as
many lives from a period of stabilization,
Holness held firm to
his decision winning 49 of the 63
Parliamentary seats.
Throughout the short campaign
period, Holness touted
his administration’s effort to
cut taxes, lower unemployment,
reduce poverty, provide affordable
housing and improve the
infrastructure.
He also offered a 10-point
manifesto to secure enhancements
to small businesses.
And with many bold adversities
facing the nation, voters focused
on the pluses to vote overwhelmingly
that the 48-year-old PM
would be ensured the lion-share
for continued governance.
Although the color contest
ended recording one of the lowest
turnouts in 58 years at only
37.2 percent, the geographical
landscape displayed a fertilelooking
map of the island reflecting
the greening of Jamaica and
the decided winner of new territory
that for decades were distinctly
carrot-colored.
The victory represented
the largest margin for a political
party since 1997 when the
orange-colored People’s National
Party’s leader Prime Minister
Percival J. Patterson cinched a
whopping 50-10 win.
As for the JLP their last big
win was 1980 when their Bostonborn
leader Edward Seaga denied
Michael Manley.
“Tonight the victor is the people,”
Holness said.
Wearing a protective mask in
adherence of his health protocols,
following concession from Opposition
leader Dr. Peter Phillips,
he humbly accepted the mandate
to lead for a second term.
“I am obviously happy to have
won, but I want to assure all of
you that I do carry this burden
with great consideration of the
expectations of not just those
who elected us but those who
are looking on us for future decisions.”
The Opposition People’s
National Party suffered a massive
blow managing to retain
only 14 seats and worst, resignation
from Dr. Phillips who
said he would quit his leadership
position.
History has already noted
that he is the only orange party
leader to elude winning a mandate
from the total population to
become prime minster.
Reportedly his reasons were
attributed to declining health
and a lack of confidence within
the party.
Holness added that he was
humbled by the majority vote of
confidence but “stunned” by the
loss of Peter Bunting and “surprised”
by the slim win eeked out
by rival candidate Lisa Hanna.
Disunity between comrades
Phillips and Bunting allegedly
fractionalized the party’s leadership
and may have caused some
of the abandonment from loyalists
. But that the defying split of
allegiance would result with
Bunting’s loss seemed a puzzle
the prime minister noted.
“I think the Lisa Hanna seat is
a surprise,” Holness remarked.
Hanna, a former Miss World
winner and spokesperson for the
PNP proved to be a challenging
winner.
Totaling a mere 50-49 percentage
lead, she barely distinguished
herself from her less profiled JLP
opponent Delroy Granston,
In the end, she persevered to
retain representation in the parish
of St. Ann.
Hanna waged a formidable
contest using social media platforms
to boost favorability. The
well-produced videos boasted
intelligence, might and promise.
The high-tech production went
viral reaching audiences near
and far, however on election day
voters decided orange would be
the new green.
JLP won 406,764 of the popular
votes, while the PNP mustered
305,157.
A total of 1,161 votes went
to independent and third party
candidates.
During the acceptance speech,
Holness maintained a modest
disposition.
“You came out in your hundred
thousands and you participated
in the solemn process
of democracy. You voted, you
expressed yourself through the
ballot.”
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
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