Portia heaps praises on the nation’s cops

Western Bureau:

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller heaped praises on the nation's police at a People's National Party (PNP) mass rally in Hopewell, Hanover, on Tuesday night, saying that the lawmen had been providing yeoman service to the nation since the start of the 2016 general election campaign.

"I have seen officers and I am sure that since the start of the (election) campaigns, they have not rested yet," said Simpson Miller against a backdrop of cheers from Comrades at the rally. "Some (officers) even travelled from Kingston to be here today, and I just want to say to you, help me big up the members of the Jamaica Constabulary."

The nation's police officers, the military, and election day workers will be the first Jamaicans to face the polls in the 2016 general election as they will vote on Monday to pave the way for them to perform their duties when the rest of the nation votes on Thursday.

The media also came in for praise from the prime minister, who highlighted the important work being done by journalists to inform party supporters as well as the general public about the happenings on the election campaign trail.

"I want to thank them because they keep our people informed," said Simpson Miller.

The prime minister also used the opportunity to urge Comrades in eastern and western Hanover not to pay any attention to the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which she described as "adopt mouth". They were, instead, to focus on the work that has been done by the PNP Government.

"Comrades, you know what we have done already, but there is still much more work to be done in this country, and one of the things we cannot do is to put the country in the hands of the people that are not really tried and tested," said Simpson Miller. "We have been tried and tested and have done a lot in this country, benefiting the Jamaican people."

Simpson Miller told the Comrades in eastern Hanover not to let her down as she was expecting them to give their support to Mayor of Lucea Wynter McIntosh, who would be seeking to become the member of parliament for the constituency. McIntosh will be going up against the JLP's Dave 'Spoon' Brown.