All 36 members of the People’s National Party (PNP) parliamentary caucus, including the 28 Members of Parliament and eight senators, have been named to the party’s shadow cabinet.

The announcement was made on Monday by Opposition Leader Mark Golding.

The members will speak on matters covering 27 portfolio areas, with the spokespersons assisted by nine deputies.

In a statement announcing the formulation of the group, Golding explained that it is built around four key pillars of national life: economic development, human development, physical development, and governance. He said these are aimed at addressing the most pressing issues facing the country.

The portfolio of housing and sustainable living will be shadowed by Professor Senator Floyd Morris who told the Jamaica Observer that he will be pushing to ensure that the Government brings affordable housing to the market.

“Affordable housing is going to be a continued priority for the People’s National Party. We believe that that is the mandate of the National Housing Trust (NHT). We believe that the NHT needs to focus on the building out of more affordable houses for Jamaicans,” said Morris.

“It cannot be that what we‘re seeing coming to market are houses that are costing over $20 million and the ordinary college graduate cannot get a house that falls within his or her income band. So, we will be pressing for that and we will be making sure that we will be pressing for the [National] Housing Trust to adhere to its original mandate to provide affordable housing,” Morris added.

“We are going to be looking at what are the priority issues for the Administration, and that would be manifested by the time we reach the next budget. From there, we will be able to launch out in terms of our approach to housing,” he said.

Morris, a former president of the Senate, said, “For now, we have set those initiatives on the table which outline the PNP’s template for housing. They’re clearly stated. And as we move on we’re going to be adding to those.”

The Opposition senator noted that Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has acknowledged that the PNP’s rent-to-own proposal — which the party highlighted during the general election campaign, and which is included in its manifesto — is a “very good initiative”.

“We’re going to watch and see how those are manifested over the next years, if they’re going to seek to implement any of what we proposed, and if they do, they must be man enough to give credit to the ideas that we have been putting forward,” said Morris.

Meanwhile, Golding said the PNP’s team of spokespersons and their deputies will provide oversight, hold the Government accountable, and present alternative policies that reflect the party’s vision for a just, inclusive, and progressive Jamaica.

“In unveiling this shadow cabinet we present a team of bright minds, experienced leaders, and energetic new voices who are ready to serve the people of Jamaica,” Golding said.

“Together, they bring the creativity and determination required to chart a better course for our country,” he added.

The Opposition leader said the PNP, “reaffirms its commitment to advancing people-centred policies that promote equity, sustainability, and national development”.

He said the shadow cabinet will continue to articulate and defend this vision while ensuring accountability in governance.

GOLDING… shadow cabinet offers energetic new voices ready to serve Jamaicans