Buoyed by its strong performance in the recent local government elections, the People’s National Party (PNP) heads into the public session of its 86th annual conference at the National Arena in St Andrew today determined to send a message that “Time Come!”

In the February 26 local government elections, the PNP ended with 21,500 more votes than the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and 115 out of 228 divisions contested, up from the 98 it garnered in 2016.

Despite this the JLP was the winner of the elections, with seven of the municipal corporations to the PNP’s six, with one, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), tied.

But the PNP was given the right to name the mayor of Kingston as it received the highest number of votes cast in Kingston and St Andrew.

Against that background the Comrades have been upbeat since then, claiming that the signs are clear that the JLP’s time in Government is coming to an end.

“Well, I can confidently say that the energy in the PNP at this time is at an all-time high. As we approached the 86th annual conference we were getting calls from all ends of Jamaica. This year’s conference holds special significance, as it is the final one before the next general election and we are fully committed to make it an event to be remembered for years to come,” PNP spokeswoman with responsibility for public communication Nekeisha Burchell told the Jamaica Observer last Friday.

BURCHELL… we are determined to demonstrate to the nation that the People’s National Party is ready to lead, ready to deliver, and most importantly we are ready to return power to the people

“We are determined to demonstrate to the nation that the People’s National Party is ready to lead, ready to deliver, and most importantly, we are ready to return power to the people. We are using the theme ‘People Time Come’ this year…to send a clear message of urgency and transformation.

“For the past two years we have carried this message across the country and this conference will be the culmination of that movement, a rallying call for Jamaicans to join us in bringing about the change that is desperately needed,” added Burchell.

She told the Sunday Observer that since the conference started with private sessions last Friday the PNP has sought to highlight its readiness to form the next Government.

“[Today] we will show the nation that the PNP is not just prepared but poised to take back the reins of Government and put the people first,” she said.

According to Burchell, the response from Comrades has been overwhelming, with an unprecedented number of supporters eager to attend today’s public session.

“So much so that we are facing the challenge of securing enough transportation in some of the constituencies. This renewed energy reflects a groundswell of support even from those who have been distanced from the process in recent years,” Burchell told the Sunday Observer.

She said apart from the usual interest from the traditional media, the PNP has seen an increase in interest from social media users.

“The bloggers, the YouTubers, the TikTokers have extended personal requests to be a part of the show and to be given an opportunity to telegraph the experience to their viewers and listeners. This, for us, reflects the growing momentum and the excitement around conference 86,” added Burchell as she pointed out that the conference is set to be streamed on all major platforms to ensure maximum reach.

PNP President Mark Golding is slated to provide the main address at the public session, with issues such as perceived corruption in the governing JLP, the failures in the education sector, the level of crime, and the low level of economic growth expected to be among the main features of his presentation.

Burchell said other interesting items will be on stage at the session which begins at 10:00 am.

“We have crafted a programme and designed a stage that will showcase our vision for Jamaica’s future. This is more than just a conference for us, we look at it as our pitch to the nation. We will introduce our candidates and lay out our plans, demonstrating that the PNP under Mark Golding is ready to lead this country with integrity, vision, and a commitment to restoring power to the people.

“We firmly believe that the time for change is now and it is without question that people time come,” declared Burchell.

People’s National Party delgates converse outside the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew after the end of the private session of the party’s 86th annual conference on Saturday. The public session isscheduled for today inside the National Arena. (Photos: Joseph Wellington)

Kingston Mayor Councillor Andrew Swaby has a word with fellow Comrade Colleen Bernard after the private session of the People’s National Party’s 86th annual conference at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew on Saturday.

Former National Security Minister and People’s National Party (PNP) spokesman on national security Peter Bunting (left) in conversation with Heather Muirhead Brown and Wayne Vascianna after the private session of the party’s 86th annual conference at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew on Saturday.

Comrades attending the public session of the People’s National Party’s 85th annual conference inside the National Arena in St Andrew last year.