Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a powerful victory speech after the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) general election win on Wednesday, declaring “no weapon formed against me shall prosper” during his address to supporters at the JLP headquarters on Belmont Road in St Andrew.
His remarks came against the background of a grueling campaign during which he had to fend off allegations of corruption.
“Jamaica is at a special place today, it is an opportunity,” Holness told Labourites.
“For me it was also a personal challenge…. After all the attacks, the lies, the rumours, the innuendos, I am still solid as a rock, they just can’t stop me now,” he added, quoting lyrics from reggae icon Sizzla, whom he recently credited as an inspiration.
The JLP won 34 seats to the PNP’s 29, following the preliminary counting of votes on Wednesday night, clinching a historic third consecutive term in government.
Apparently humbled by the slim margin of victory, Holness cautioned against complacency.
“In the third term, as in the first and the second, we must guard against arrogance, we must develop an even keener ears to listen to the people… we must address the needs of the people…. And while it is clear the majority has chosen the Jamaica Labour Party… there are still those who don’t share that view,” Holness said.
He also acknowledged that more needs to be done to allow more Jamaicans to feel the benefits of the economic gains the island has made over the last decade.
“They want prosperity to come to their driveway and their doorway… this government must be laser focus to ensure that there is prosperity for all Jamaicans,” Holness said. “Prosperity may mean peace, their children getting to university, the road fixed in their community… we must be focused on delivering these basic services.” ( Jamaica Observer)
