JLP's chances won't be hurt by election call near end of parliamentary term - Barrett

 

Political commentator Germaine Barrett does not believe the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government's decision to call the general election close to the end of its second term in office will negatively affect its chances at the poll. 

 

Speaking Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106 FM, Mr. Barrett said the extra time has helped energise voters and boost the JLP's campaign momentum.

 

He also asserted that the expected election announcement this Sunday is the right time. 

 

"I don't think it will hurt their fortunes. I think the Prime Minister's estimation is correct that Jamaicans had slipped deeper into apathy and just were politically disengaged, and so a lot of time was needed to sort of re-engage the voting population at large. And that takes time, that takes time. I think the JLP was also slow out of the wicket in terms of its own campaigning. And so I think now is the right time. The population is as engaged as it ever will be. I think we are verging on a state of exhaustion. And so I think right now is the time for the election to be called and be over with," he reasoned.

 

Prime Minister and Jamaica Labour Party leader Dr. Andrew Holness is expected to announce the date of the general election during a mass meeting in Half Way Tree, St. Andrew on Sunday.

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Barrett believes the JLP's campaign on its achievements is an extraordinary strategic approach to prove that the party is credible and deserving of a third term. 

 

At the same time, Mr. Barrett said it is disappointing that the People's National Party's response to the move is to liken it to a publicity stunt.

 

"Have we done enough? Have we done enough comparative to other administrations? I think that that's an incredibly important message that the JLP has to double down on, particularly within the context where a lot of their achievements have been sort of belittled by the People's National Party and questions are being asked about whether or not, you know, things like corruption, misadministration of the country's affairs and so forth, is what has occasioned this administration. So they have to fight back," he suggested.