JLP touts achievements ahead of imminent election call

With Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness hinting that the general election will soon be announced, the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is unveiling a document highlighting its accomplishments since 2016. The party says the report showcases progress that justifies its bid for a third consecutive term in office.

Dr Christopher Tufton, who described himself as a senior campaign spokesperson, emphasised that the upcoming election is critical for Jamaica's future. He argued that the JLP has laid a strong foundation for both national growth and personal development.

“Whether from a job's perspective, infrastructure, healthcare, social services, stability, less debt, and let's not forget no taxes. And we think that we are confident that that's the basis on which each individual can realise their dreams and aspirations and their true potential, and that is the role of government. And as a consequence, that, for us, is our record and that's the basis on which we will convince Jamaicans to give us a third term,” Tufton told The Gleaner last night.

The achievements document will soon be followed by the party's official manifesto. Both will be available in print and across social media.

Tufton rejected claims that most Jamaicans have not benefited from government programmes. He cited increases in prescriptions filled through the National Health Fund – from under one million in 2015 to three million in the past year – along with expanded pension support for those over 75, low- or no-interest loans through the Students' Loan Bureau and National Housing Trust, and water access for over 250,000 rural residents.

He also pointed to a decline in major crimes, including murders.

“We will not buy into the rhetoric of the People's National Party (PNP) and their surrogates,” he said.

Responding to the JLP's announcement, PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell dismissed the report as misleading.

“The JLP doesn't believe its record is enough to win. If they did, they'd have called the election already,” he said.

HIGHEST MURDER RATE OF ANY GOVERNMENT

Campbell acknowledged that the murder rate has declined in 2025 compared to 2024 but argued that over nine years, the Holness administration has overseen the highest average murder rate of any government and no one is sleeping with their doors open, as was promised by Holness.

“If you look at the number of murders over the nine years, you average it out to get the annual number of murders and you will see it is the highest under Andrew Holness than any other prime minister in the history of Jamaica. They will tell you as well that poverty has not been reduced … ,” the general secretary said.

He said international reports indicate that 55 per cent of Jamaicans are suffering from food insecurity, at least 700,000 people of employment age are not working or seeking a job; underemployment; smaller roads are deplorable and high cost of living are part of the record of the administration.

“So, the JLP actually does not have any record to campaign on,” argued Campbell. “If they thought their record was that solid, they would have called the elections already.”

Further challenging the JLP's record, Campbell pointed out that no new schools have been built under Holness.

“This is the first administration that has not built one school in their term in office. The number of students passing five subjects to include mathematics and English has fallen from 28 per cent in 2016 to 18 per cent in 2024. The JUTC (Jamaica Urban Transit Company) had 450 buses in 2016, now it's less than 300. These are facts. Not made-up statistics,” Campbell said.

erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com