Golding bats for Holness

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

FORMER PRIME Minister Bruce Golding is expressing confidence that the man who replaced him as Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, Andrew Holness, has the mettle to rebuild the party after its crushing election defeat.

"We have been that way before and we have rebounded and rebuilt and I have every confidence that under Andrew's leadership, the party will (rebound)," said Golding in his first public comments since the People's National Party (PNP) thrashed the JLP in the December 29, 2011 general election.

Responding to questions yesterday on Nationwide 90 FM's 'This Morning', Golding told hosts Emily Crooks and Naomi Francis that while the defeat was disappointing, he always knew that the JLP would have a fight on its hands.

Predicted fight ahead

"Those persons with whom I was in touch, I did indicate that," said Golding, as he admitted that he campaigned in few constituencies where he was asked to.

"There were 15 seats that I identified and I told them those seats would determine the election and we would need to win 11 of those for a bare majority. We would have to win all 15 for a majority of 36-27," said Golding.

"We ended up winning only two of them and, in addition to that, we lost three seats that I didn't think were in danger," added Golding.