Chairman of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Robert Montague has implored Labourites to ensure the party gets a third term in office to finish the work it has started.

Montague made the appeal on Sunday as he addressed the party’s 81st annual conference inside the National Arena. The next general election is constitutionally due by September 2025.

According to Montague, “the third term is needed so the poor and vulnerable can get the proper help, party workers can get help (and) so that Jamaica will be strong”.

“It is needed so farmers can get more of the inputs they need, taxi and bus owners and drivers can expand their businesses and vendors can upgrade.

“The third term is needed so that we can unite as a country and do more to reduce crime and violence. It (crime) is a cancer that is costing the country almost four per cent of GDP or about $40 billion,” the party chairman stated.

He also said the third term was needed to create more opportunities for the country’s youths, create more space for women, especially single mothers, and to create more programmes to help the elderly.

“The third term is needed so we can reform the procurement process, but keep its checks and balances (in place) so projects can be implemented faster.

“The third term is needed so that more contract workers can be made permanent, more respect can be given to our workers,” Montague said.

He was one of several speakers who made the case for the JLP to be given a third consecutive term in office, the party having come to power in February 2016. Like other speakers, he highlighted the work of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, declaring him to be the best choice for the country.

According to Montague, the third term is needed so more people can get piped water, more communities can get electricity, including streetlights and so that more roads, bridges and drains can repaired.

“The third term is needed so more informal communities can be upgraded so we can issue more titles and give the people legitimacy. It is needed so that more people can get a HOPE house, a NHT house, and your house and your neighbour’s house can be repaired,” Montague said.

“I trust Andrew Holness and you must trust him too. He has started to move you from poverty to prosperity. You need to allow him to continue what he has started,” he implored.

The party chairman pointed to a list of JLP accomplishments spearheaded by Holness. These include the 1.5 income tax break, increased PATH benefits, assistance during COVID, implementation of a social pension programme and the reduction in the debt to GDP ratio from 140 per cent to almost 70 per cent of GDP.

Montague also pointed to the lowest unemployment rate in Jamaica’s history and a reduction in all major crimes.

“He needs to finish what he has started for you. He knows your struggle because he has struggled too. He knows your pain because this yute from Spanish Town has felt it too,” said Montague.

He told Labourites that the prime minister has made mistakes, “he has had challenges and issues but remember he is human. He is not perfect, he is human but his heart is in the right place”.

“He too knows that the third term is needed because it is your turn. The third term is your time. The third term is your term,” Montague concluded.