Opposition Leader expects resounding win - Knocks PNP on promises
Jamaica Labour Party leader, Bruce Golding, bends to greet party supporters shortly after he came on stage to thunderous screams of delight from the jam-packed crowd ofLabourites at Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, Sunday night. PHOTO BY ADRIAN FRATER
Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Tuesday | August 14, 2007
Adrian Frater, News Editor Western Bureau:
Contrary to the predictions of local pollsters and political pundits, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding says the upcoming general election will not be close. In fact, he is promising a resounding victory for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on August 27.
"I am confident in a way that I have not been confident since 1980, that come the night of the 27th (August), you are going to see a resounding victory for the Labour Party throughout Jamaica," Mr. Golding told thousands of flag-waving JLP supporters at a mass rally in Sam Sharpe Square on Sunday night.
"There are some people who are saying that this election is going to be close, but it is not going to be close one bit," added Mr. Golding. "The people are determined that they have to change course."
Promised economic growth
In what was a wide-ranging address in which he accused the ruling People's National Party (PNP) of mismanaging the economy in the 18-plus years since it came to office in 1989, Mr. Golding promised that the JLP will grow the economy as it did in the 1980s and bring back hope and prosperity to Jamaica.
In rejecting the PNP's claim that the JLP manifesto contained "wild promises", Mr. Golding accused the PNP of a litany of broken promises over the years. Among the broken promises he outlined were:
A promised insurance scheme in 1990.
Promised hospital for Portmore in 1997.
New prison promised in 1997.
Cruise ship piers to be constructed in Lucea and Port Royal in 1997.
A promise to bring back rail service to Jamaica in 2002.
Convention centre promised for Montego Bay, 2002.
A promise to build a new town in Hayes, Clarendon, in 2002.
A promise to build a stadium in central Jamaica in 2002.
Cost-sharing would be eliminated from schools.
Highway 2000 would provide over 180,000 jobs.
Insofar as Montego Bay is concerned, Mr. Golding said while he understands the importance of tourism to the western city, under the plans of the JLP, he is expecting tourism to drive more than Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril.
"Tourism can drive the economy in a serious way, but it has to be managed properly," noted Mr. Golding. "We have already commenced discussion with some potential investors and I am excited about the developments that are going to take place."
