Prime Minister Andrew Holness believes that the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has the right mix of young and experienced representatives that will ensure it does well at the next general election. However, he emphasised the importance of the party reaching out to Jamaicans, including its supporters and workers, and address their concerns with respect.

Holness, the JLP leader, was addressing the party’s Area Council 2 conference at Portmore HEART Academy in St Catherine on Sunday.

“One thing with the Jamaica Labour Party is that we have some firebrand politicians. We have firebrand Everald Warmington and Daryl Vaz, who are senior members of the party and senior politicians in their own right. They don’t always see eye to eye, but we are one family and we have one abiding belief, and that is, we are united in seeing the best for Jamaica, land we love,” Holness told cheering Labourites

“The Area Council 2 family is alive and well and we will do well because we have a good balance of the people who have been around, who know the road, like Warmington and Daryl. We have a good balance of those in the middle, like myself who have the energy and the vision to bridge the past and to stand firm in the present but have reached into the future. We have a good mix, so I am sure that the party is regenerating itself before your very eyes. You are seeing the future of the party emerging,” Holness said.

Noting that mixed views were expressed in a survey the party conducted among its workers, Holness said, “Some of you would know that your constituency was selected for review. Some of you were interviewed and your views were recorded and brought to me so that I could understand what my workers, supporters, and activists are thinking. Some of them did not feel as appreciated, as recognised, and appreciated as they should be. They felt their Government is in power and whilst they are not looking for State resources to be channelled to them, there is an expectation that the party must reach out to its base, its co-workers and show them care and respect.”

He pointed to the results of the February 2024 local government election which saw the JLP winning seven of the island’s municipalities to the Opposition People’s National Party’s six and a tie in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation.

“We got a clear message from you in February, and like any intelligent organisation we have recalibrated and a few months ago, even up to a few weeks ago, we called a retreat for Members of Parliament (MPs) and constituency leadership and declared to them a course of action they must take which involves a reaching out to all our workers and mending fences with all co-workers and supporters, no matter if you think you were right and they were wrong,” the JLP leader said.

“What matters is that the Jamaica Labour Party continues to bring good policies and government to the people of the country, and your little argument should not stop that. We have given a directive to the leadership of the constituencies to pay attention to your supporters and hear what they have to say. Go out and take the cussing about the water and the road. Don’t hide from the people,” Holness said.

He said that when he tours the island, no matter how much water, roads, and houses are provided to the people, there will always be some who will reveal that they have none of those resources.

“In our democracy, even that person, even if you think it is unreasonable, it is quite reasonable for that voter, when they see their MP, to raise the issue with them. Jamaicans are going to raise it in the strongest ways, but as the MP or caretaker candidate, you cannot run from that. It has been my experience that it’s either they run come hug me up and after they hug me they say, ‘Do you see the road?’

“In North East St Ann, one lady cussed me off about her water. For over 20 years she nuh have no water. I said, ‘Lady, I am just in government since 2016 and I am trying’. She said she didn’t care. She said other people and communities are getting and she wants her water now. It is just the reality. We were able to respond to her by giving her a drum.

“Then she told me the drum not going to be enough. She said she needed three refills of water and we ended up taking care of that for her. The point I am making to the leadership is that it is rough out there. The Jamaica Labour Party did not make it rough. Every Jamaican knows that the Jamaica Labour Party is making it better, but the frustration is such that if they don’t feel you and believe you are acting in their best interest, they are going to stray,” Holness said.

He urged his supporters and Jamaicans in general not to be fooled by many of the accusations being made about the Government by detractors.

“There is a battle going on right now, being waged in the most underhanded ways, sometimes for your mind. Your mind is like your body; if you eat sweet foods every day and high carbohydrates, you are going to get diabetes. It is the same thing when you listen to nonsense all day and feed your minds with rumours and propaganda. It is going to create a bad mind,” he said.

“I am speaking now generally to the people of Jamaica as we are now in the political cycle. We are now in this battle for the minds. I am saying to you, don’t be tricked,” Holness added.