ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – Pointing to the next parliamentary polls due next year as a “serious election”, Mayor of Black River and Councillor for the New Market division Richard Solomon claims that the Jamaica Labour Party-led administration has made the country’s economy the “best in the Caribbean region”.

“This is the most important election in our lifetime. This is the turning point. We would have navigated the treacherous water already. God blessed us with a leader with a vision,” he told JLP supporters at the party’s St Elizabeth parish meeting at Newell High on Saturday night.

Newell is located in St Elizabeth South Western, a weathervane constituency, now represented by JLP member and Cabinet Minister Floyd Green.

Solomon added that Jamaica’s economy is in a good place to the point where former Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke was appointed Deputy Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“COVID was the worst thing that happened to this country and the world. We had two wars that caused high inflation right across the world, but under the vision and leadership of Dr Andrew Michael Holness. We have the best economy in the hemisphere in this Caribbean region to the extent that the IMF came for our Finance Minister,” said Solomon.

“It speaks volume to the sort of work that we have been doing with the economy for this country,” he added.

Solomon then compared the upcoming election to the November 5 US election in terms of the economy.

“America just had their election the other day and the number one issue was the economy. In Jamaica we already fixed the economy and built the economy under our watch. Let us not make the mistake like in the past. Let us not make misinformation, propaganda lead us down a path where the country is set back. We are fighting for the next generation of this country,” he said.

“… I know that everything is not perfect, but guess what, we have the best time and a Government that cares about you. We have the best policies,” he added while adding that he grew up in a household which supported the People’s National Party.

“I am proud to be a Labourite. Look at what is in the best interest of the country,” said Solomon.

– Kasey Williams