KINGSTON, Jamaica — There will be two group debates and a leaders’ debate between the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ahead of the General Election on September 3.

For the first time in its 23-year history, the debate on the economy will be a group debate; it has previously taken place between the Minister of Finance and the Opposition Spokesman on Finance.

Details of the debates were announced by the Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) during a press conference in Kingston on Tuesday morning.

Chairman of the JDC, Brian Schmidt, said the group format for the economy debate was due to it being the weakest debate over the years. He said group debates are more popular.

The first debate on social issues will take place on Saturday, August 23 followed by the economy debate on Tuesday, August 26 and the leaders’ debate between Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding on Thursday, August 28.

Damion Crawford, Raymond Pryce and Sophia Fraser-Binns will represent the PNP in the social issues debate. The JLP will be represented by Pearnel Charles Jr, Kamina Johnson-Smith and Matthew Samuda.

For the economy debate, the PNP will be represented by Julian Robinson, Peter Bunting and Kisha Anderson. The JLP will be represented by Fayval Williams, Dana Morris Dixon and Dr Christopher Tufton.