WITH simmering public discontent over a massive pay hike to the political directorate, Prime Minister Andrew Holness continued his efforts to calm critics by promising on Friday that new accountability measures will be put in place for Members of Parliament (MPs) and ministers.

But Holness did not provide any details on what those new accountability measures would be.

Speaking at the handing over of a house under the New Social Housing Programme in Bog Walk, St Catherine, on Friday, Holness repeated his claim that the decision to grant an increase to members of the political directorate was not taken lightly.

He said there were people even in the ranks of his Administration who said it should not be done, while others felt it had to be done.

“My sense of the public response is that there are those who appreciate why it was done, and you can even see it from the Opposition benches, though they are conflicted and flip-flopping. But even they understand the importance of this measure,” argued Holness.

“Unfortunately, by virtue of how it has unfolded, we were not able to put first and foremost the accountability measures. But we have established, and I will announce shortly, a series of accountability measures, and I’ve said to my MPs, and I have said to ministers, that the…cost of this policy is accountability,” added Holness.

He said every MP and minister is now committed to ensuring that they earn the salary.

“They understand that this is not an argument that we weren’t paid well from the beginning and therefore, on that basis, is justification,” said Holness.

“No, the argument within the MP caucus is that having got this increase, we must now prove to the Jamaican people, even harder than we were working before, that the increases are justified and they understand that. They understand that the accountability issues are foremost in the minds of the people and that we must do tangible things,” declared Holness.

This was the prime minister’s second attempt to defend the controversial increases, which were announced in Parliament by Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke on Tuesday.

On Thursday, Holness used a function to celebrate the anniversary of the 100th birthday of former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer at National Heroes’ Park to argue that the approximately 200 per cent increase granted to some members of the political directorate was justified.

“What has plagued us for many years as a country… is that we have treated the political class with schizophrenia and disdain. The truth is you get the political leadership that you pay [for]. The truth is that you get the quality of governance that you elect.

“You know what is going to happen as a result in the increase in pay…all of a sudden, the best talents that would have overlooked politics, that would have migrated,” said Holness.

Friday’s comments from Holness came hours after a small group of protesters gathered outside Emancipation Park in New Kingston bearing placards with messages such as, “Fix it Nigel!” and “No justification for huge salary increases”.