KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Senator Delano Seiveright pulled no punches in a blistering address at the launch of the Young Jamaica Central Kingston Chapter, declaring that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) under Prime Minister Andrew Holness is the only political movement with a credible plan, proven leadership, and a bold vision for Jamaica’s future.

Following his address to supporters at the Holy Family Primary School, Senator Seiveright speaking to the Jamaica Observer made it clear: “Jamaica cannot move forward by dragging back the failures of the past. The PNP has no fresh ideas. Instead, they’re dusting off the same old playbook—complete with the same old players who presided over economic catastrophe.”

He was referencing the People’s National Party’s recent decision to re-engage former Prime Minister P J Patterson—who turns 90 this year—along with importing foreign support in the form of St Vincent’s Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who is nearing 80, to rally their base.

While respectfully acknowledging prime ministers’ decades of service, Senator Seiveright questioned what message this sends about the PNP’s current leadership.

“If your best strategy is to call in former leaders who started their political activism from the 1960s and 1970s to rescue you, what does that say about your readiness to lead in 2025 and beyond?” he asked.

Seiveright reminded attendees of the economic disaster presided over by P J Patterson’s administration: runaway cumulative inflation over 2,000 per cent, double-digit unemployment, youth unemployment surging above 40 per cent, currency depreciation amounting to over 1,000 per cent, and a national debt that exploded from 72 per cent to a crushing 120 per cent of GDP. Over 40,000 businesses went under. Entire families were wiped out financially. Some Jamaicans, he said, took their own lives.

In stark contrast, Senator Seiveright highlighted the transformative successes of the Holness-led administration. Under the JLP, Jamaica has recorded the lowest unemployment rate in history at 3.5 per cent, youth unemployment down to 11 per cent, inflation averaging just 5.5 per cent annually, and the national debt has been slashed to 68.7 per cent of GDP. Over 250,000 jobs have been created since 2016, murders are down 30 per cent, and social protections like the Social Pension and Tourism Workers Pension have been implemented for the first time.