Holness admits some JLP MPs falling short, vows to improve service

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness says a survey conducted by the party has revealed that some of its parliamentary representatives are underperforming, calling it a “gap” in their representation.

Speaking at the St Ann North Western constituency conference on Sunday, Holness said the indications are that the public wants their representatives to be available, responsive, caring, and respectful.

He said the party has started taking action internally.

“Some of the MPs (members of parliament) and caretakers that we have seen are falling short, we have called them in. We have started to have conversations with them about improving their service,” said Holness.

He noted that this issue extends beyond MPs to councillors, stressing the importance of maintaining a strong connection with constituents.

“We have seen that there is a high level of frustration, not just with constituents but with workers and supporters, and so the party has to address that in a systematic way. So, you’re going to see greater efforts, and you’re going to see us making contact with you directly from party central through your MPs,” Holness said.

He said that, after being in power for eight years, there are some grievances being carried by supporters who believe that they are not benefiting from the Government.

He noted that the rules cannot be broken to facilitate this, noting that “sometimes you have to say no”.

Still, he said the JLP cannot dismiss how many people are feeling and the issues that affect them.

“As that grievance festers, you give opportunity for a populist Opposition to come and say, ‘I’m going to fix it. I will take care of you’. Because that’s all populism is – taking advantage of grievance,” Holness said.

His comments follow a slew of changes made by the party’s Central Executive in April, which saw the resignation of Homer Davis and Audley Gordon from their posts as deputy general secretaries.

The Central Executive is the second-highest decision-making body outside of the JLP’s annual conference.

Those changes followed the February 26 local government elections in which the JLP lost several key divisions and control of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation.

The JLP emerged with control of seven municipal corporations to the PNP’s five. The PNP also won the Portmore Municipal Corporation, while there was a tie within KSAMC, where the opposition party had the popular vote.

The final results released by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica showed the JLP winning 113 of the 228 divisions and PNP claiming 115. The PNP also won the Portmore mayoral race.

The PNP won popular votes, securing 311,716 to the JLP’s 290,283.

If the results were to hold for the general election, the JLP would have lost 17 seats, moving down from the 47 it now holds to 30. The PNP would have won 31 of the 63 seats. There are two seats currently vacant.

“We will do better in your interest. As your leader, I am going to ensure that our representatives give a higher standard of service,” said Holness, adding that party workers have a challenge with how representatives address their issues.

He said supporters have indicated that their challenges lie with representatives and not the Government.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com