Holness challenges poll findings, says JLP can campaign on achievements

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is asserting that voters already know what they will get with a vote for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the upcoming general election.

 

The asertion comes after the release of the most recent Don Anderson polls which show the opposition People's National Party (PNP) could take control of Gordon House if an election were to be called now.

 

The poll found that 39.3 per cent of respondents said they would mark their ballot for the PNP, while 30.2 per cent said they would vote for the JLP.

 

But a confident Prime Minister Holness, who challenged the results, said his Cabinet and members of Parliament can campaign on a record of achievement despite the poll findings. 

  

"Your representatives demonstrate a level of care and respect that recommends their election, and that is a lesson that other constituencies should well learn. No matter what the pundits and commentators say, no matter what the polls say, what really matters is how your representatives execute their responsibilities to you, how well they show care. Those things don't get captured in polls, and pundits and commentators will never know the special relationship that exists between you and your representative," he argued. 

 

The Prime Minister has also fallen behind Opposition Leader Mark Golding in the favourability ratings.

 

Still, he said the JLP is not blind to the plight of Jamaicans.

 

Reaffirming his commitment to accountable governance and performance, Mr. Holness said the party is undergoing a robust competency review. 

 

"We are not comfortable or satisfied that right throughout the constituencies that we have, that the level of representation is at the level that we would want it," he said, adding that in the next few months, the party will be assessing each of its political representatives to see how well they are executing their job. 

 

"We must have an agenda of care," he asserted. "The Jamaica Labour Party must show the people of Jamaica that we care about you."

 

Prime Minister Holness was speaking at a Clarendon Northern constituency conference in Aenon Town, on Sunday evening.