JLP 'same bus, different driver', says Portia

Horace Fisher, Gleaner Writer

CHAPELTON, Clarendon:

WHEN NEWS came Tuesday night that Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry had resigned, loud blast of firecrackers, vuvuzelas and shouts of "Mama, Mama" came from People's National Party (PNP) supporters who crammed into Chapelton's Independence Park square in Clarendon.

The news came as PNP president and Opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller was delivering a scathing attack on the Andrew Holness-led Government.

"Breaking news, Comrades. It is being reported that Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry has jumped off the bus. It isn't official as yet, so we are still awaiting confirmation. If I am wrong, please forgive me," said Simpson Miller to cheering supporters at the Chapelton stop to present the three North Clarendon candidates, Horace Dalley, Colin Campbell and Richard Azan.

'Papa Bruce', 'Baby Bruce'

"In Haiti, there was 'Papa Doc' and 'Baby Doc', in Jamaica there is 'Papa Bruce' and 'Baby Bruce'. Andrew Holness and Bruce Golding are the same thing, same bus, different driver," said Simpson Miller, to loud cheers from the massive crowd of PNP supporters.

When confirmation came that Henry had in fact resigned, Simpson Miller briefly commended him for some of his work over the years before she labelled the JLP campaign as public relations (PR).

Four years of PR

"The Labourites believe people a fool. All them have been doing for the last four years that they have been in power is attempting to PR everything away, but you cannot PR poverty and hunger away. The Jamaican middle class has now become the working class and the working class is now Jamaica's poor, while the poor has fallen further down the socio-economic ladder," said Simpson Miller.

The opposition leader promised comrades that their suffering will be over when the PNP forms the next government, as it will use the JEEP programme to benefit farmers, teachers, nurses, and business people.

"It is almost over. The PNP will rescue you from Andrew Holness and his uncaring band of Labourites, so let him call the election," promised a confident Simpson Miller, which was followed by loud chorus of, 'Call it Andrew, call it' from a throng of enthusiastic PNP supporters.

rural@gleanerjm.com