Mark Beckford, Freelance Writer

GOLDING

Opposition Leader Bruce Golding has declared that if his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) wins the next general election, he will seek to amend the Constitution and create a fixed election date. He said a JLP Government would do so within its first 100 days in office.

Golding made this announcement at a special meeting of JLP parlia-mentary and parish council candidates at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston, yesterday.

"It is not good for the country to be sitting on tenterhooks absorbing so much time on speculation ... there are a host of reasons why it is not good for the country to be iffing and butting."

In a speech that lasted over an hour, Mr. Golding touched on several topical matters. Issuing a rallying cry to his party, he instructed all JLP candidates to "move immediately and make final preparations for elections".

Mr. Golding did not miss a chance in chastising the ruling People's National Party (PNP) over what he sees as their apparent inability to name the election date because of problems within the party and the country.

He said the Government has reneged on several promises, such as the raising of the income tax threshold and the beautification programme announced by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller last year and this is a signal that all is not well - especially in an election year.

"If things were well the increase in the income tax threshold which should have been effected the first of January would have been done ... if the Government cannot find the wherewithal for relief for 80,000 to 90,000 Jamaicans who are earning three, four and five thousand a week then all is not well ."

Mr. Golding said he has learnt that the Minister of Finance is set to announce a significant tax package to put together the budget for the upcoming year.

He expressed surprise at statements made by Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas that there are signs that the next general election could become bloody. But he stressed, his party is willing to work with the Government and the relevant agencies to ensure that this does not occur.

Mr. Golding also expressed confidence that Jamaica has surpassed the political pettiness that affected the nation in the past.

"The JLP is willing to do what is necessary to prevent the elections from descending into a pathway of anarchy...we expect candidates to be ambassadors and to exercise vigilance to ensure no disorder is created in the JLP's name."

Mr. Golding also reprimanded the Prime Minister for comments made by her concerning him.

Mr. Golding said leaders should air their differences about each other without having to make abusive statements about each other.

"I am going to ask the Prime Minister, you are a nice lady don't throw any word at me. You have my numbers call me. If leaders cannot cooperate then they are not worthy of the people's trust," he said.