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Prime Minister Andrew Holness - file photo
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Prime Minister Andrew Holness
By Racquel Porter
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has sought to put an end to rumors that an early election is looming.
The general election is constitutionally due in 2025, while local government elections are due February next year.
Speaking at a town hall at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, St. James on Thursday evening, Mr. Holness said he is aware of the speculation that an election could be called soon. But according to him: "My mind is not on election."
"We are a democracy. When elections are due, they are due. But we must not postpone and defer and interrupt our progress for elections. Elections must be a routine. They must be very short, orderly, and seamless and then you get back to business," he asserted.
The second term prime minister said his focus is on managing the people's affairs and "ensuring that those who are at the base of the society, who still have not yet felt the change that is happening, that you will get the chance".
Still, Mr. Holness used the opportunity to blast those who he said "want to use elections to disrupt progress". Labelling them powermongers, the Prime Minister suggested they were not necessarily interested in the people's progress but more so political gain.
"And the truth is that when they get power, they don't know what to do with it," he argued.
Mr. Holness admitted that Jamaica continues to grapple with issues such as public sector wage disputes, but urged citizens not to allow themselves to fall into pessimism because of the challenges.
"They feed upon your frustration. And look here, there are many things to be frustrated about. Many things. But what you don't want to do is to disrupt the good governance things that will make your life better," he insisted.
The opposition People's National Party has repeatedly criticised the Jamaica Labour Party administration for its handling of the country's affairs, particularly in relation to crime, with Opposition Spokesman on National Security Peter Bunting recently suggesting that the Prime Minister must "pack his bags and go".
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