JLP shallacks PNP again

The fate of Portia Simpson Miller, leader of Jamaica’s opposition People’s National Party (PNP) now hangs in the balance, following the party’s defeat in the Local Government elections held on Monday.

The long overdue elections were held to determine the control of municipal corporations across the island.

In the preliminary count – the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), emerged victorious, snatching eight parish councils from the clutches of the PNP that previously controlled all councils.

In Monday’s poll, 489 candidates competed for 228 divisions. The JLP won 131 divisions to the PNP’s 97.

As the results were announced by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), Prime Minister Andrew Holness told JLP supporters at the party’s Belmont Road headquarters in Kingston, that the outcome is an endorsement of the party’s performance since winning the February general election.

“Jamaica is saying you have performed, but we are not taking it for granted, we are going to work even harder …”

While supporters of the JLP celebrated, there was a striking contrast at the PNP headquarters where party leader Portia Simpson Miller was noticeably absent.

PNP General Secretary, Paul Burke, in addressing the crowd, said the party lacked sufficient funds going into the election, but that wasn’t an excuse for the defeat.

Meanwhile, the party’s Deputy General Secretary, Julian Robinson said a review of the party’s performance will be conducted.

In the election’s aftermath, it’s believed the challenge for the presidency of the 75-year-old PNP will shift into high gear.

Political commentator Judith Wedderburn says things will not be the same for Simpson Miller. “The PNP needs to make up its mind, if it’s going to prepare to be a credible opposition party preparing for government. There are many issues at hand - a number of internal issues. They have a responsibility to themselves as an opposition party to deal with those issues, otherwise, they are going to stay there (in opposition) for a very long time.”

In the 2012 Local Government elections, the PNP secured a landslide victory, securing 151 divisions to the JLP’s 75, and the mayorship of the City of Portmore in St. Catherine.