Fired-up JLP supporters brave rain at annual conference

The overcast sky and periodic showers have not dampened the spirit of Jamaica Labour Party supporters who travelled from all across the island to the National Arena for the party's 81st annual conference.

This is expected to be the final conference before the general election that is constitutionally due by September 2025, and the Labourites are confident that they will usher Prime Minister Andrew Holness into his third straight term.

"The Labourites gone clear!" declared Gloria Williams from Clarendon Central.

"Mi nuh see nothing gone bad...the road a fix, everything that do right now but wi tek time a guh tru," she said.

For Vinnel Brown a supporter from North West St Andrew, Holness' record of achievement will keep his supporters loyal.

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"Our prime minister are doing good, and we happy fi what him are doing. For 18 and a half year, we were going down the road of destruction and Andrew Holness come and lifted up di country,"  he said. "The PNP (People's National Party) nuh have no chance."

According to Brown, the PNP's recent victories in the by-elections in the Aenon Town and Morant Bay division will have no bearing on the general elections.

Ronica McIntosh from Eastern St Thomas is of a similar view.

"Dem was strong PNP seat, a fi dem seat and dem tek it back," she said.

She advised the JLP to campaign on its achievements which she said include improved road networks, and provision of jobs for people in the business process outsourcing sector.

Another supporter who requested anonymity said he has been experiencing the prosperity promised by Holness.

"A two job mi have now," the supporter who said he is a retiree stated.

However, the supporter stated that the government needs to give immediate attention to the state of the roads that are in bad condition all over the island.

Everton Gayle, a crane operator from St Catherine North Central said his job prospects have also improved under the Holness administration.

"Mi achieve more, mi have more money. Under PNP government, I go months without work... I suffer under the PNP," he said.

- Sashana Small