Holness and Golding face off in leadership debate tonight

 

With the stakes high in the upcoming general election, political commentators say Thursday night's leadership debate could be a turning point, either securing a third term for Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness or giving Mark Golding his first shot at the country's top job. 

 

Political scientist Dr. Jermaine McCalpin describes the event as nothing short of a prime ministerial audition. 

 

Mr. McCalpin believes Mr. Golding has more work to do in convincing the electorate than Dr. Holness.

 

"The burden of proof again lies with Mark Golding. I think having served in the capacity as a prime minister, Andrew Holness has less convincing to do. Like Dr. Stokes, I don't think the corruption argument has really gained traction with the electorate. I just believe that he has to stay on message, the Prime Minister, and I think that's the best that he can do. Play it safe rather than trying to hit any six or any four. Just hit a one and run between the crease," he reasoned.

 

Meanwhile, political commentator Clyde Williams argued that the leadership debate will help to energise the base of each party for election day.

 

"The parties come to play to specific outcomes.... And the two primary outcomes they are coming to play to is that one, let us cause our base to be happy and riled up at the end of the debate, ready to work on election day and to work between now and election day, one. And two, their supporters who nuh decide if them fi go vote yet, they want those persons to be starting to say, you know what, Mi aguh go out now because of how the debaters handle it."

 

They shared their views during TVJ's post-economy debate show, hosted by Emily Shields, on Tuesday night. 

 

Development economist Dr. Chris Stokes, who was also guest on the show, believes the leadership debate will be entertaining and informative, but is not convinced it will influence voters.

 

"Dr. Holness is the best person to deliver. When you hear him speak, he's very clear on what they (JLP) are doing, their competence, their deliveries, their actions, so on and so forth. It will be interesting how that is interpreted because he will be a little more forceful, closer to what Mr. Robinson was today. But I do think Mr. Golding will be...a little more steady and factual.... I don't think he'll be as energetic as the Prime Minister. He will try to go down the wicket of the corruption, which I'm not persuaded yet has traction in the country. And I think that the Prime Minister on his feet is well positioned to defend himself," he suggested.

 

Thursday night's 90-minute debate will be the final in the series of the three general election debates.

 

It begins at 9 p.m. and will be aired live on Radio Jamaica, Power 106 FM, TVJ, TVJ International, TVJ's YouTube channel and JNN.