It’s a festive atmosphere here at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) headquarters on Belmont Road in St Andrew as it becomes clear that the party seems set to be elected for a third consecutive term to form the Government.

With the early results showing that the party would not enjoy the landslide victory they many Labourites were anticipating, there was a tension obvious in the crowd despite efforts by the DJ to get a party vibes going.

But as it was announced that the party had retained key seats including St Andrew Eastern, St Andrew East Rural and Manchester Central, the party started despite indications that the People’s National Party (PNP) had flipped seats including St Thomas Eastern and Portland Eastern.

Jamaica Labour (JLP) Party supporters celebrating at the party’s Belmont Road headquarters on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

At 9.30 the Labourites were still sweating on the St Andrew West Central seat where party leader, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness was locked in a closer than expected battle with the PNP’s Paul Buchanan.

There was also concern over the Kingston Central seat where the preliminary count showed the PNP’s Steve McGregor getting by the incumbent Donavon Williams by a handful of votes.

At 9.50 pm Labourites were streaming into Belmont Road in the dozens as they await the arrival of Holness who, if the numbers hold, would by the first person to lead the JLP to three consecutive election victories.

– Arthur Hall