KINGSTON, Jamaica — A senior member of the Jamaica Labour Party’s Communication Taskforce, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, is rejecting as hypocritical and disingenuous a claim from People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell, that Prime Minister Andrew Holness is using state resources for political advantage.

Dr Campbell made the claim on the social media website X, following the announcement by the Prime Minister that a by-election will be held in North East St Ann on September 30 this year.

“The PM has shown his hand in trying to use the Government of Jamaica and state resources to play politics”, Dr Campbell charged.

But Senator Fitz-Henley in a statement said the PNP’s General Secretary’s claim lacks merit.

Fitz-Henley says there is an appropriate context to recent changes in the corridors of Government, including the resignations of Marsha Smith and Matthew Samuda and the calling of a by-election.

“The changes we are seeing are not simply political maneuvres. What we are really seeing is the Government structuring itself to build on economic stability which has been achieved despite multiple recurring crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Europe. The Prime Minister has been clear –  the re-structuring process will require changes at all levels, at the Cabinet level, at the level of permanent secretaries, public body chairmen, and advisors,” Fitz-Henley commented.

Senator Fitz-Henley, who is also Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, says it is commendable that the various transitions taking place have been conducted in a manner where there has not been any disruption to the good functioning of government.

“The Prime Minister has signalled a policy evolution towards accelerated growth. Ministers Shaw and Clarke carried the fiscal agenda to the point where it is now sufficiently institutionalised. The government must look for more robust growth. this means a focus on human resource development, ease of doing business, promoting new industries and creating stronger linkages, and building a more efficient and effective public bureaucracy, among other measures,” Fitz-Henley reiterated.

Senator Fitz-Henley says the suggestion by the PNP that it will not contest the North East St Ann by-election based on the principle of not supporting expenditure on a by-election process given that a General Election is due in a year, is inconsistent and disingenuous.

“Truth is government’s must govern. By-elections are part of our process under the Westminster system. In 2001, the PNP administration called a by-election, and then a General Election was held the following year. Near the end of 2014, a by-election was called by the PNP-administration and just over a year later a General Election was held in February 2016. This ‘Christopher Colombus-esque discovery of principle’ espoused by Dr Campbell is typical of the PNP. Their supposed principles fluctuate and are convenient,” Fitz-Henley hit back.

Senator Fitz-Henley also accused the PNP of backing out of the North East St Ann by-election  because they are aware they do not have the confidence of the Jamaican electorate.