Bumpy road to third term
Longest-serving councillor, JLP chairman agree prioritising infrastructure key to re-election
Published:Tuesday | November 26, 2024 | 12:08 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
The country’s longest-serving councillor, Lee Clarke, who has been in local government since 1981, believes the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) must urgently address poor road infrastructure if it hopes to secure a third consecutive term in office.
Speaking with The Gleaner on Sunday on the sidelines of the JLP 81st annual conference, Clarke identified poor roads as the most critical issue for the Government at this time, with the next general election due within the next nine months.
“We have done enough, and if we have a few months to fix some of the bad roads, we will win,” the White Hall division councillor and former mayor of Kingston said.
“Not being a fool, we know that his election will not be as easy as the last election. We have to work, get to work, be with the people, and we will win,” he added.
Asked whether he believes Prime Minister Andrew Holness will then have to wait until next September to call the polls, Clarke said, “Sometimes the situation forces you to do things that you don’t want to do so. As it is, we are watching the daily times, but the house is in order; we’re putting it in order.”
JLP Chairman Robert Montague also acknowledged the need to prioritise road repairs as part of the party’s agenda leading up to the election. He assured supporters that the Government is addressing key issues, including roads, water, and housing.
“Roads right across Jamaica are bad, but work soon start on them, water turning on, houses being built and repaired, educational opportunities, jobs and nuff more!
“The people of Mason Hall, Kidd Land and other communities are looking out for their water before end of year. Other water projects are to be completed, and roadwork soon start. Mango Valley and other communities, people, we ready for you now and we are sorry for the delay,” said Montague.
Montague dismissed calls from the Opposition for Holness to announce an election date, emphasising that the prime minister will decide on the timing.
“ We have things to do, and we are doing them according to our own timetable,” he told thousands of supporters inside the packed National Arena.
Reflecting on last Friday’s local government losses in Morant Bay, St Thomas, and Aenon Town, Clarendon, Montague stressed that the party is taking lessons from those defeats.
“We must pay more attention to the poor and vulnerable, cost of living, roads, light, housing and water. We must help persons to start their small businesses or expand, and we must grow our footprint in the digital economy.
“We must take care of our party workers,’’ he declared, to rousing cheers from supporters.
Montague said the JLP needs a third term to finish what the Holness administration started, including creating more opportunities for youth, more spaces for women, and programmes for the elderly.
“He needs to finish what he has started for you – that is, to pay attention to your needs. He knows your struggle because he has struggled, too. He knows your pain because this yute from Spanish Town has felt it, too.
“He has made mistakes, he has had challenges and issues, but remember, he is human. He is not perfect. He is human, but his heart is in the right place. He, too, knows that the third term is needed because it is your turn. The third term is your time. The third term is your term,’’ Montague said.