Holness Swearing-in | What he said before

Jamaica Labour Party Leader Andrew Holness will this afternoon be sworn in as Prime Minister of Jamaica for the third time.

The 48-year-old politician last week led the Jamaica Labour Party to a 48-15 seat win in Jamaica's 18th general election since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944.

Because of COVID-19, this time round, the swearing-in of the Prime Minister will be restricted to 32 people inside the banquet hall of King's House.

The Gleaner went to the archives and found some of the issues Holness addressed on the two previous occasions he was installed as Head of Government:
 

ON GARRISON POLITICS:
2016
"I still believe it is a useful symbol of national unity for the Prime Minister
and the Leader of the Opposition to appear together in zones of political
exclusions. I again extend the invitation.”

2011
"I will be writing to the Leader of the Opposition to invite her to discuss this important measure of coordinating access to closed communities for representatives of differing political persuasions. Hopefully, this small step will lead to other steps that will eventually remove garrisons from our political landscape."
 

ON THE ECONOMY
2016
By increasing the income tax threshold we will restore the economic power of households to participate in not only growing our GDP but more importantly growing the general well being of the society.

2011
In May of this year our government tabled a green paper on tax reform which is being discussed by stakeholders. I am confident that we can reach agreement on a reformed tax system.
 

ON CORRUPTION
2016
"I understand that the Jamaican people now want to see action in building trust. This is part of fixing government. Everyone who will form the next government must be seized of this expectation. From the politician making policy to the civil
servant processing an application, we must act dutifully to fulfil our responsibilities. Trust requires the actualisation of our commitments. We will fulfil our commitments.”

2011
"There are several pieces of legislation designed to bring greater transparency and oversight to public administration, including the new Anti Corruption Bill and Amendments to the Procurement Regulations which will have the support of the Government in Parliament.”
 

ON CRIME:
2016
"We cannot be satisfied with things as they are. My dream is to fulfil your dream. We must create... A Jamaica where you feel safe to live, work and raise your children."

2011
"We cannot relax on crime at this point and we will bring to Parliament, very soon, anti-gang legislation to address the threat of organised crime."

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