Opposition Leader Mark Golding has reiterated that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government cannot claim paternity for the fiscal discipline the country now enjoys and which has resulted in the debt-to-GDP ratio set to fall below 70 per cent at the end of this month.

Golding asserted that it is the People’s National Party (PNP) that has set Jamaica on its current path, having done the “heavy lifting” while in Government between 2012 and 2016. He made the assertion while making his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate at Gordon House.

The PNP Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson, made a similar claim during his contribution to the Budget Debate last Thursday.

“The crucial reforms and economic management that have created the long-term stability in Jamaica’s finances began during the last PNP administration under Portia Simpson-Miller and Dr Peter Phillips. They understood the assignment, and they championed change,” said Golding.

“We acknowledge that the current government continued what we had started. Jamaica has benefitted from continuity in this journey. But let no one forget – We did the heavy lifting to take Jamaica out of a deep debt crisis, and set Jamaica on a sustainable fiscal path,” Golding added.

He said this was “after the JLP government of 2007-2011 couldn’t cross it and run lef’ it. It was not in their DNA”.

“On Thursday (March 13), our spokesperson for finance irrefutably established that Jamaica’s tremendous achievement in public debt reduction is a PNP baby. We are proud of that achievement and that legacy, and we remain fully committed to fiscal discipline. We will not do anything that would jeopardise the sacrifices that have been made to get Jamaica where we are,” Golding said.