THERE were shouts of “Shower!” by the thousands of Labourites packed into the National Arena for Sunday’s annual conference of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), while thousands who were unable to get inside got a baptism from the showers that came.

That, however, took nothing away from the vibes among jubilant supporters at Sunday’s public session of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) 81st Annual General Conference at the National Arena in St Andrew.

Umbrellas went up in numbers as JLP supporters, dressed in green clothing of varying styles, filled the parking lots and other spaces outside the arena and refused to retreat from the rain.

Shortly after 2:00 pm, when the rain subsided, inside as well as outside of the arena erupted into a frenzy as the motorcade in which leader of the JLP and Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness was travelling entered the grounds of the arena. The clinging of pot covers, the blowing of vuvuzelas, dancing, shouting and waving of hands upon the arrival of the PM and his wife Juliet Holness created an electrifying atmosphere.

Even the vendors were celebrating, and for good reason. They said profits were handsome.

One female shrimp vendor told the Jamaica Observer that things worked out well for her.

“Things are going on good. The crowd is great and the prime minister is talking great things. The shrimp sale is going on good, and I am happy about that,” she said.

Dennis Hyatt, a peanut vendor, said, “It gwaan good. Mi naa tell nuh lie.” He said he had to restock due to the rush on his peanuts.

“My first batch a peanut sell off. I had to pack on back my string,” said the vendor who shared what he learnt from the prime minister’s announcements. “He said he is keeping the country on the growth [path] he has it on. Me like that.”

One Jamaican woman who lives overseas said she visited the island just to attend the conference, and she did not leave disappointed.

“It is adorable. The vibes is really nice. This is my first time in Jamaica for 10 years and, trust me, it’s really, really good. I enjoyed myself. I support the JLP. Shower for life. JLP is for the people. I think people should endorse the JLP more because this is a party where we come together as one and make things happen,” she said.

Meanwhile, a woman who hails from west Kingston and who gave her name as Debbie described Andrew Holness as the best leader of the country.

She told the Observer that she admires how much the prime minister is working. “Who say him not doing anything don’t have any ambition,” she said.

Debbie urged members of the JLP to break up their folly ground and work with the prime minister.

“The MPs need to walk and let the people see them, and the councillors need to have a meeting every week. Andrew Holness is working, and he needs Jamaica to support him,” said Debbie.

A number of people who travelled from western Jamaica and other parts of the island to attend the conference professed their love and support for Holness.

One St James man told the Observer that Holness is the first prime minister he has seen do so much work “one time”.

“This is the first time we have so much money put down and we don’t have to borrow money to do what we are doing now in the country. This is the best government so we have to support the best party,” he reasoned.

In her own style and fashion, this woman is one of hundreds of attendees at Sunday’s public session of the Jamaica Labour Party’s 81st Annual General Conference at the National Arena in St Andrew.

“Chin Pong”, one of the few colourful characters, is spotted outside the National Arena on Sunday. While he posed for the cameras, the senior members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) appealed to the hearts and minds of the Jamaican people at the public session of the organisation’s 81st annual general conference. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)