CHAIRMAN of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Communication Taskforce, Abka Fitz-Henley has said the sheer love and genuine respect which Jamaicans from all walks of life have for Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness carried the governing party across the line in the September 3, 2025 General Election.

Following a bruising campaign during which many verbal punches and counter-punches were thrown, the JLP prevailed over the Mark Golding-led People’s National Party (PNP) by winning 35 constituencies to 28 for the Opposition party.

On Sunday, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) reported that up to midday the final count for the election was completed in 61 constituencies. Additionally, the EOJ said that, “the counting of ballots for the other two constituencies continues, with returning officers in the presence of the candidates and/or their representatives”.

Fitz-Henley, who assumed chairmanship of the JLP’s Communication Taskforce in May last year at a time when some national polls showed the JLP trailing by as many as nine percentage points, said a team effort contributed to hauling back the deficit and ensuring the JLP prevailed in the election.

However, he credits what he described as “the star power of Dr Holness” as the decisive factor which resulted in the JLP, for the first time in its 82-year history, winning three consecutive terms in office.

“Sure it was a team effort, but whether in marketing or communication the experts will tell you, the key factor is the product. You have to have a focal point that is sellable to the people and I think the prime minister-elect and Jamaica Labour Party leader attracts a natural love from the people that cannot be bought, concocted or contrived,” Fitz-Henley told the Jamaica Observer.

“He genuinely connects with people from all walks of life because he understands their challenges and is committed to achieving positive outcomes for them. It’s amazing to see, when we are on the road with him, how much love he gets from the people — and ultimately I think that carried us across the line,” Fitz-Henley said, adding that it was left to the National Campaign Committee and Communication Taskforce to capitalise on that natural respect and love Holness attracts from Jamaicans.

“On the other side you had an individual who appeared awkward in his interactions with the people, but we are fortunate to be led by a party leader who is a natural on the campaign trail — and even when he is not campaigning but merely being among the people, there is a genuine connection which not only exists but is evident. Women and children love him and are excited about his presence. Men have regard for him, and ultimately those factors, I reckon, made the difference,” Fitz-Henley argued.

The former award-winning broadcast journalist who has been serving in the Senate since 2023 said it was satisfying to see that despite a persistent onslaught of personal attacks — “some influenced by classism, others by a raw thirst for political power” — Holness prevailed.

“The truth is, the prime minister has been lied upon, and viciously so by members of the PNP at all levels. He and his family are being subjected to an organised smear campaign on social media and other platforms but he stuck to his message and prevailed,” Fitz-Henley said.

“I genuinely feel that well-thinking and discerning Jamaicans realise that he is a clean-hearted man who is serving his country and moving Jamaica forward,” Fitz-Henley said, adding he has no doubt that Holness, “already has his attention on additional policies and plans to continue gains being made in several key sectors”.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader Dr Andrew Holness (centre) with JLP supporters on the campaign trail in St James, ahead of the September 3, 2025 General Election.