NEW YORK, USA — The Jamaican community here has reacted with a range of emotions to Thursday’s general election.

There has been surprise and shock, as well as concerns from some that gains made under the International Monetary Fund be protected.

Desmond Clarke, a past president of the People’s National Party (PNP)-affiliated Jamaica National Movement, was among those who expressed surprise.

“I did not expect them to lose,” he said of the PNP.

He argued that the party may have hurt its chances by deciding not to debate the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and by not settling its candidate selection issues earlier.

Regarding the JLP’s economic plans, Clarke said that he hopes the new Government will be able to implement them, as failure to do so “could be catastrophic for Jamaica”.

Speaking to a radio audience soon after the results were known, Joan Pinnock, head of the Diaspora Advisory Board for the north-east United States, said she too was surprised at the result.

She was, however, quick to point out that her group “stands ready to work with the new Administration”.

But not everyone here expected the JLP to lose. Patrick Callum, head of the New York chapter of Generation 2000, an affiliate of the party, said he had been “cautiously optimistic the party would win”.

He feels the mood among the electorate shifted after the JLP took its manifesto on the road, and because the PNP had become a bit arrogant.

Meanwhile, head of the Jamaica Progressive League Sadie Campbell said she was “not overly surprised at the results” as she felt the PNP was overconfident and somewhat disengaged from the electorate.

In respect of the promises made by the JLP, Campbell said that while hopeful, she does not think they will be able to fulfil them, as many of them are overambitious.

The election results have also generated intense discussions among average Jamaicans here.

It was the major topic of discussion during meals for patrons at Meritta’s Catering, a popular restaurant in Queens.

While many expressed surprise and even shock at the results, few were convinced that the change in government will bring any meaningful economic development.