Third term not an entitlement, Holness tells Labourites

Ringing the bell in Clarendon and "signalling the nation" that a general election is near, Prime Minister and Jamaica Labour Party Leader Dr Andrew Holness on Saturday warned party members and supporters that the quest for a third term would not be easy.

Holness was speaking at the Clarendon North Western constituency conference held at Edwin Allen High School in Frankfield, where he highlighted the fact that he had walked with his bell, which is the JLP's symbol.

"You also know that when the teacher is ready for classes to resume, when the principal is ready to call back the children, the principal goes for the bell. So, when we are ringing the bell we are signalling to the nation," he said.

However, Holness, whose ruling-JLP will be seeking a third consecutive term in office in general elections due in September, said Labourites should not take it for granted that the party will win.

"The third term is never an easy undertaking. It must never be felt that the third term is an entitlement. There must be no arrogance about us," Holness said. "As Labourites we must be cognisant of the challenges we face as we seek to continue the mission of changing Jamaica for the better."

Holness said the Government understands that many Jamaicans are frustrated by persistent problems, such as lack of water and proper roads. However, he asserted that the JLP is the party that knows how to fix the issues.

"Because even amongst us there are those who are frustrated, dissatisfied, disillusioned and will still put on a good face...but at the end of it, you do go home and you have to reflect and many of you here look on in your community at the roads and you look on and you say 'how long I can't stand up inna mi bathroom inna mi house and seh shower, shower'. Yes these are realities that your government and your party must address," he stated.

Holness was in Clarendon North Western to endorse the party's representative in the constituency, Warren Newby. The former JLP senator replaces outgoing Member of Parliament Phillip Henriques. He is expected to go up against the People’s National Party’s Richard Azan.

Holness described Newby as "a man of great political insight, great political knowledge, but someone who understand the struggles of the people and someone who has dedicated his life to service."

"I endorse him and I recommend him highly to you," Holness told party supporters.

The Clarendon North Western seat has grown increasingly competitive in recent election cycles. While historically a JLP stronghold, the party’s grip has loosened since 2002 when Cliff Stone lost to Azan.

The JLP reclaimed the seat in 2007, but Azan won it back in 2011 and 2016 in tightly contested races. The JLP took hold again in 2020.

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