‘The real signs are clear’
Senator Allen says the PNP is ready to unseat the JLP
Published:Tuesday | May 6, 2025 | 10:13 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
In a spirited and confident address, Opposition Senator Janice Allen proclaimed that the People’s National Party (PNP) is poised to win the upcoming general election, while suggesting that the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is showing signs of fear and anxiety.
Speaking on Sunday night at the Welcome Hall PNP Divisional Conference, Allen, who is the party’s candidate for St James Central and spokesperson on tourism, dismissed recent controversy over the removal of PNP signs and billboards in the parish as mere political distractions. Instead, she urged Jamaicans to focus on the broader momentum building in the PNP’s favour.
“For the last month and a half in St James, there has been a lot of news, talk and activities about the removal of signs and billboards, but Comrades, I want you to not pay attention to those signs. I want you to pay attention to the real signs and the real signs are telling us that the People’s National Party is about to win the next general election and set the people free,” said Allen.
Allen pointed to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness’ increased visits to the parish as evidence that the JLP is rattled, describing it as political panic.
“Comrades, I have never seen the prime minister in St James as often as he has been coming to St James,” said Allen. “You have to ask why, because I have never seen him down here so often; up to this morning (May 4) he was in St James. He was here last week, and the week before.
She went on to claim that key JLP figures in the region are under pressure.
“Comrades, it means that Homer Davis is under fire, it means that Dr Horace Chang is under fire, it means that Marlene Malahoo Forte is under fire, and it definitely means that Heroy Clarke is under fire,” said Allen, who is seeking to unseat Clarke in St James Central.
In a scathing critique of the Holness administration, Allen targeted the Government’s handling of the Cornwall Regional Hospital renovation, calling it a clear sign of disrespect to the people of Jamaica, especially by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton.
Allen said it was disappointing that Tufton recently only opened a room to house the administrative staff on the third floor of the 10-storey medical facility.
“When you and I hear that, you think about bed, operating theatre, you think about medicine. But because they are trying to fool the people, the minister comes to Montego Bay, and can you imagine, him opening an office room?” said Allen.
“He should apologise to the people of St James, because after eight years of mismanagement of the Cornwall Regional Hospital project, you come and open a room and tell the people that you are opening the hospital. We deserve better. We, the people of St James, deserve respect, and the minister of health does not have respect for St James,” said Allen.