KINGSTON, Jamaica – General Secretary of the People’s National Party (PNP) Paul Burke has informed the chairman of the Jamaica Debates Commission, Noel daCosta, that the PNP will not participate in any debates with the Jamaica Labour Party unless Andrew Holness takes certain actions, which were communicated to him today.

In a letter to daCosta, Burke referred to tripartite discussions which have been held regarding the staging of political debates, prior to the upcoming general election on February 25.

“We make particular reference to our request that the format of the leadership debate be changed to one similar to recent town hall-type debates conducted by the Democratic Party candidates in the United States,” Burke said. “At the last meeting attended by our representatives, we outlined clearly the basis of our request which the commission undertook to consider.”

He added that the chairman subsequently sent a proposal, incorporating only a few elements of the format that was proposed.

The PNP general secretary said that after considerable internal consultation, the PNP is advising him as chairman of the commission that the proposals are not acceptable and would require further adjustments.

Burke then said that other matters have intervened, including concerns regarding certain matters relating to the conduct of the leader of the Opposition, Holness, which “we believe are relevant and critical to our participation in an exercise such as a debate”.

He said that those concerns were elevated to “outrage and disappointment” earlier this week when Holness made “irresponsible” statements concerning the shooting at Sam Sharpe Square in St James on Sunday, and a television interview in which he allegedly referred to the Prime Minister and leader of the PNP Portia Simpson Miller in a “defamatory and most disgraceful and disrespectful manner”.

“The PNP has therefore with great regret taken the decision that it will not participate in any debates with the JLP unless the leader of the Opposition takes certain actions which will be communicated to the public today,” Burke said.

Balford Henry