September 3 face-off

By: Kimone Francis

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Sunday set the stage for a fierce political battle, sending Jamaicans to the polls on September 3 in an announcement that sent thousands of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters into a frenzy in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew.

The date sets the stage for a rematch between the JLP and the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and marks the anniversary of the 2020 general election in which the ruling party thrashed the Opposition 49-14.

In a charged atmosphere, punctuated by intermittent showers and bell-ringing, vuvuzela-blowing Labourites, Holness also announced that the nomination of candidates will take place on August 18.

“We take the resources and we make them more. We are good stewards and we ask you the people, the masters, to make a judgement to make a choice on who will steward your affairs,” said Holness, who indicated that early Sunday he advised Governor General Sir Patrick Allen to set processes in motion, including the dissolution of Parliament.

His announcement comes more than a month after PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell called for a rematch while at a PNP meeting in Manchester North Western, where he called the results of 2020 a “fluke”.

“We are ready for a rematch. We are going to have a rematch. We are demanding a rematch with the Labourites. And when that rematch comes they are going to see that all fruits ripe because everything green is now orange,” he said, adding that the base of the PNP is awake and independent voters are with the party.

Responding to the announcement on Sunday, Opposition Leader Mark Golding said Holness had no choice but to announce the dates he did, stating that he painted himself into a corner.

‘He had no options’ 

Golding said it’s unprecedented that his general secretary was able to on Saturday accurately predict the dates.

“It’s because he had no options really. Had he been in a position to confidently move forward into an election he would have called it long ago. But we are ready; we are prepared. We have done the work. Our party is united and strong,” said Golding.

He criticised Holness over his uncertified statutory declarations, calling for Jamaicans to judge Holness on that when they go to the polls weeks from now.

However, moments earlier, Holness slammed his critics, including Golding, who he said benefited during the policy of high interest rates which saw the greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich.

He said Golding should not be allowed to manage the economy, arguing that he, and friends, will reintroduce high interest rate policies that they can benefit from.

In the same breath, Holness said whatever “little” he has made in life he made it in the same way poor Jamaicans did.

“I buy two taxi. Then I open a taxi company and I go through the struggles just like everybody else. I want to thank those who thought by releasing documents that they would somehow diminish me. I am a true Jamaican. I went through the Jamaican struggles and I never made any money on the backs of the Jamaican people,” said Holness.

Holness has been battling with anti-corruption watchdog the Integrity Commission over the non-certification of his statutory declaration.

The Supreme Court on July 31 rejected Holness’ bid to strike out what he described as “scandalous” portions of a 108-page March affidavit filed by Beresford.

Holness was successful in getting the court to order the IC to disclose certain documents prepared by officials connected to the probe of his financial affairs. 

However, on Sunday, Holness called on Jamaicans to ‘Choose Jamaica’ and grant the JLP an unprecedented third consecutive term in office.

Public opinion polls suggest the race to control Jamaica House will be a tight one.

The JLP, which currently controls 49 of the 63 seats in Parliament, is campaigning on a platform of continued economic growth, expanded infrastructure, and stronger crime management. Holness pointed to his administration’s record of fiscal discipline, highlighting reductions in public debt and the country’s economic resilience during turbulent global conditions.

He promised even greater investment in education, health care, housing, water and road infrastructure, and the implementation of a rural school bus system aimed at improving access and safety for students.

Meanwhile, the Opposition People’s National Party, which holds 14 seats, is pushing for a new direction under its ‘Time Come’ campaign. The party, wracked by public divisions over the last decade, now projects unity. It has cited its 2024 local government election performance as proof it is regaining credibility with Jamaicans.

The PNP is prioritising economic inclusion, greater access to housing, especially for young, middle-income persons, and reforms in healthcare and education.

Golding has positioned himself as a champion of the marginalised, arguing that Jamaica needs a government that puts the people at the centre and uplifts the vulnerable.

The PNP is pledging to construct 50,000 affordable homes, offer a $500,000 deposit grant to young prospective homeowners, and implement a range of social support measures, such as expanded school meal programmes, academic interventions in low-income areas, and full university scholarships for the first person in each family to matriculate.

“We are seeking a mandate from the people, and we want to do so on the basis, not only of the failing and inadequacy of this Government, but because of the promise that we are bringing to the people,” Golding said at a recent rally in Brown’s Town, St Ann.

He added: “The party has a powerful set of policies and programmes that will uplift Jamaica and take Jamaica forward in a real way.”

The PNP has also taken aim at the prime minister’s unresolved income declarations to the Integrity Commission, which have remained uncertified since 2021. The party has emphasised its leader’s “clean hands and pure heart” while criticising the JLP for what it describes as a pattern of corruption under its leadership.

However the JLP insists that Jamaica is on the right track, launching its ‘Choose Jamaica’ campaign to highlight achievements in economic recovery and national development, particularly in infrastructure build-out, a more than 40 per cent cut in murders year-on-year; unemployment at a record low of 3.3 per cent, and poverty cuts.

“In just a decade, we have transformed Jamaica from the brink of economic collapse into the strongest economy since our Independence. We have conquered the challenges of macroeconomic stability and debt reduction - hard-fought victories that have freed us from the cycle of crisis after crisis,” Holness said during his 2025 Budget Debate speech in March.

He added: “It is now time for us to build on the strong foundation that we have created to focus on generating robust growth that will deliver more opportunities for all Jamaicans to pursue their God-given talents and fulfil their dreams and aspirations.”

At a party meeting in Clarendon South Eastern in May, Holness noted that his administration will focus on the “local economy”. “ 

“We a go fix yuh local economy so that you can live, work, do your business, raise your family, and experience your own prosperity right here in your community,” he said.

According to the Electoral Office of Jamaica, 2,077,799 people are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election. A party needs at least 32 seats in the 63-seat House of Representatives to form the Government.

This year’s contest is expected to come down to about 20 swing seats, with key battlegrounds in the western parishes of St James, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St Elizabeth, as well as Manchester, Clarendon, and St Catherine in central Jamaica.

Since gaining universal adult suffrage in 1944, Jamaica has held 18 general elections. Both parties have won nine.

The JLP secured victories in 1944, 1949, 1962, 1967, 1980 and 1983, 2007, 2016 and 2020.

The PNP did not contest the 1983 elections, and thereafter won four straight elections starting in 1989, then in 1993, 1997 and 2002. The PNP again won 2011. It also won elections 1955, 1959, 1972, and 1976.

Last night, Holness said by-elections in four local government divisions in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation would also be held on September 3. The divisions are - Chancery Hall, Olympic Gardens, Seivwright Gardens Gardens and Denham Town.

Join the Discussion

#JaVotes2020 Tweets