Several members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) used the podium at the Constituency Conference in Clarendon South East on Sunday to advance reasons why the party deserved a third term.

The conference, which kicked off shortly after 3:00 pm, was the site of much dancing, singing and the usual displays of exuberance as party workers, among others, were welcomed and greeted by the vibrant Councillor for the Palmer’s Cross division, Carlene Benjamin.

However, it wasn’t business as usual as party supporters refrained from the usual vuvuzela blowing to listen intently on the messages espoused by the various speakers, many of whom saw it fit to highlight the progress the party had made since taking office in 2016.

Among those who took the stage was Councillor for the Denbigh division, Joel Williams, who also shared greetings on behalf of Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Clarendon, Mike Henry.

Williams asserted that “one good term deserves another”, citing the government’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One good term deserves another… the Jamaica Labour Party has embarked on rebuilding Jamaica over the last six years, no other administration, no other government across the world did as well as Jamaica did, under the leadership of Andrew Michael Holness, as we did under COVID….” said Williams.

Williams admitted that the prosperity had not yet trickled down to everyone – arguing that everyone can’t get at the same time – but asserted that it was better for the JLP to have state power.

“Better to be on the inside than to be on the outside wondering how we are going to get on the inside. I say to you workers, every PD captain, every runner, the economy of Jamaica start to take off, don’t let it take off and it is not Andrew Holness who is at the helm; cause that time dog shall nyam your supper, they won’t look in your direction,” Williams added.

Citing the management of the economy, immediate past president of Generation 2000, Ryan Strachan, sought to remind the audience that despite the naysayers, the Holness-led administration was the right team for the job of leading the nation to prosperity.

“We know what we are doing in terms of managing the economy, we who know how to reduce poverty, we know how to reduce debt so we have more money to spend on healthcare, roads, water. We have the right hands at the wheel,” said Strachan.

Similarly, former MP and chairman of the joint select committee of Parliament, Andrew Wheatley, encouraged party supporters to recommit themselves to the party as he noted that the political organisation was good for Jamaica.

“Labourites, talk not going to do it. The hype is not going to do it. We have to re commit ourselves, not only to the Jamaica Labour Party, but Jamaica. Because when the Jamaica Labour Party forms the government, Jamaica does well,” said Wheatley.

Wheatley also used the occasion to encourage party workers to fight against what he said was misleading information, encouraging party workers to fire up the base by putting forward and highlighting the facts.

“We cannot watch what is going on, we know what is right, we know what is the truth. We have to make every effort to ensure that we put the right argument, the truth, to the people of Jamaica,” he added.

Others who took to the podium at the event included MP for Manchester Central Rhoda Crawford, MP for St Catherine North East Kerensia Morrison, former MP for Clarendon North Central Pearnel Charles Sr and former MP for Clarendon North West, Michael Stern.