THE ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) significantly stepped up its bid for a third term on Wednesday by blanketing the country with a list of what it describes as 256 “solid achievements”.

It’s another indication that the general election is imminent.

A glossy green-themed booklet with the image of prime minister and JLP Leader Dr Andrew Holness in the forefront, flanked by some members of his team, was handed out to individuals, public transport operators, people on their way to work, or left at business places and even private residences by an army of volunteers, led by Holness, in all 14 parishes.

The achievements were also listed in advertorials in the two daily newspapers with a link pointing to the digital format.

Among the more notable or significant achievements is the more than 40 per cent reduction in murders which has seen the country produce the lowest crime rate in 30 years; over 350,000 Jamaicans receiving piped water for the first time; the increase in the income tax threshold; the removal of fees to attend the HEART/NSTA Trust; and the removal of the requirement of a guarantor for student loans.

At a mid-afternoon press conference at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, members of the JLP Campaign Committee, which is chaired by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, sought to explain the reason for listing the achievements. They were asked whether the listing of the achievements was an acknowledgement that they were not resonating with the Jamaican people.

Responding, Tufton said, “In communication, we don’t take things for granted, and we don’t assume, particularly in this environment where there’s so much noise.” He noted that in a democracy, in the age of social media, where all kinds of information is outputted, it’s about setting the record straight.

“As we did with COVID, where we had to continuously communicate even though some of the rules were standard protocols, in an election cycle we have to communicate and so the achievement document, persons may know of some that have benefited them, but they may not know of others that are benefiting others, and when taken together as a compilation, provides a real sense of what the Government has been doing. We believe that that case has to be made and it also needs to be reinforced and hence the document and the importance of the document.”

To emphasise the point, against the backdrop of the big decline in the murder rate, JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang, who also addressed the press conference, said: “Everybody in Jamaica feels safer today than five years ago.”

He said while all Jamaicans know that, it was important to reinforce it.

According to Chang, the listing was “a comprehensive outline of our record of achievements on behalf of the Jamaican people since we were returned to office in 2016. I encourage everyone to review the document and have a look at our record”.

He said it was another indicator that the JLP Administration is campaigning on its active and strong record of achievements which actually demonstrates care for the people of Jamaica.

“We also campaign on the basis of a firm commitment to doing more for you,” said Chang. The veteran Member of Parliament who is also deputy prime minister and minister of national security, and who is looking to keep the safe seat of St James North Western in the JLP win column, said: “I can advise the country that the political machinery of the Jamaica Labour Party is fully active. All our candidates are in place and prepared, and we’re ready for when our prime minister and party leader decides to call the general election.”

Chang assured that the JLP will conduct a clean election campaign, “not one characterised by threats of war, of blood or fire”. The blood and fire comment was a dig at the People’s National Party (PNP) campaign song Blood and Fire Comrades.

Chang said he participated in a meeting Wednesday morning with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica and the political ombudsman and it was agreed that both the JLP and PNP will speak out against the destruction of campaign material, including candidate boards.

“The Jamaica Labour Party does not encourage that sort of activity. In fact, we actively discourage it, we’re fully committed to a peaceful campaign,” he emphasised.

Chang also boasted that the JLP was not a Government of mere talk. “We are an Administration of action; we implement.”

Then came the pitch to voters. “It is on this basis that even as we present our list of achievements with confidence, but great humility, we call on the electorate to choose the political party which has the indisputable track record of performing in the best interest of Jamaica. That party is the Jamaica Labour Party,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, chair of the party’s Manifesto and Achievement Committee, said, “This booklet is about demonstrating to people that their vote counts, that the Jamaica Labour Party Government is not an old-time Government that promises to do things and does not deliver. We deliver, and then we deliver more, and we’re committed to delivering even more if you trust us when that time comes.”

Jamaica Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness in the streets Tuesday, July 30, connecting with people to share the party’s Record of Achievements document. (Photo: @AndrewHolnessJM)

Jamaica Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness interacts with a motorist in Half-Way-Tree, to share the party’s Record of Achievements document. (Photo: @AndrewHolnessJM)