Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
THE TWO-DAY annual retreat of the Standing Committee of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ended in Ocho Rios yesterday with Opposition Leader Bruce Golding declaring that the party is much stronger and more united than ever before.
Mr. Golding said the JLP was ready to take on the government People's National Party (PNP) in either local government or general elections, either of which could be called sometime this year.
The retreat, which began at the Sandals Dunn's River Villaggio and Spa on Saturday, ended with a press briefing at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Resort.
Speaking during the briefing, Mr. Golding said the retreat ended with a renewed spirit and a feeling that the party was getting stronger and stronger with clear evidence of growing unity and cohesiveness amongst members.
"I am personally very very excited and very elated at the extent of the party's programme of coming together and the party itself is approaching the future with unity and with confidence," the JLP leader said.
Mr. Golding said the JLP has taken on a new lease on life and that the public has recognised it was no 'gimmickry', but a genuine show of face.
Mr. Golding said the JLP was now making preparations to challenge the Government in either the local government or general election, whichever is called first. He said the party was confident that it would be victorious.
He said the JLP's Operations Council is now carrying out an evaluation of the various constituencies and divisions and has been mandated to complete the assessment by the first week of February. He said that, by then, the party would decide what amount of time is needed to fully complete its readiness for elections.
The two-day retreat was called to review the previous year and to develop plans for the coming year.
Coming out of the Government's retreat on the same weekend, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson is expected to address today's post-Cabinet press briefing at which he will outline the decisions arrived at and the actions to be taking, including plans to fast-track the relocation of the headquarters of the Police High Command.
