There were no surprises last night with the close run between the two political parties, JLP and PNP last night.
The JLP just needed to secure at least 2 swing or marginal seats, which they did to become victorious and win the Election 33-30. For those of you who followed Suga Lifestyle’s Election predictions on Facebook, you would see that they were all correct. According to Suga, they were pretty much even with safe seats, giving 25 to JLP and 24 to PNP. Safe seats remained safe. However, JLP had more marginal seats compared to the PNP and ended up winning all of them, even though they were likely to win them.
For instance, for the St. Andrew East constituency, Fayval Williams unseating incumbent, Andre Hylton was expected but it was known that it would have been a close call. Less than 200 votes separated the two.
Suga thinks the huge swing seat win for JLP came from Juliet Holness who beat Imani Duncan for St. Andrew East Rural. Well done wifey.
Then they sealed the deal with Dr. Norman Dunn who took the win over Dr. Winston Green in South East St. Mary, which was supposed to be a marginal seat likely to go to the PNP.
Kudos to Robert Montague for regaining his seat in St. Andrew Western after a shocking loss in 2011.
Well done to other big winners for the JLP who should not have been doubted, such as Arlando Terrelonge for St. Catherine East Rural, Floyd Green for St. Elizabeth South Western, Marlene Malahoo-Forte for St. James West Central and Juliet Cuthbert Flynn who ran away with victory in St. Andrew West Rural.
If persons had their ears to the ground, a low voter turn out should not have indicated a win or landslide victory for the PNP. The known JLP supporters were out in their numbers to vote and their candidates were not worried. However, it was the large number of PNP supporters that did not show up to vote. They are the majority and it is known that when they are not happy or in agreement with their Government, they would rather not vote versus vote against them. So even though the race was still tight in polls marked by low voter turnouts, the JLP came out on top. The mentioned point was also demonstrated in areas of ‘safe PNP’ seats where the race was extremely tight and candidates such as Dr. Morais Guy, Mikael Phillips and Derrick Kellier were in trouble, almost losing their seats.
Note that Derrick Kellier was the only PNP seat to be won in St. James. The other 4 constituencies went to the JLP. We have not seen Past Prime Minister Bruce Golding in the media, but he has veen sighted working the constituencies is St. James, in particular, that of Marlene Malahoo-Forte.
Keith Blake of the JLP also gave Colin Fagan a run for his money for South East St. Catherine.
What happened?! Why did the PNP lose? The answer is bad campaigning. Just as how JLP suffered as a result of their bad campaign in 2011, attacking Portia’s personality and level of intelligence in a distasteful fashion, the PNP has now suffered for spending a great deal of time criticizing the size of Andrew’s house. They also called an election and avoided participating in a debate! Ridiculous if you ask me, especially for young Jamaicans eagerly waiting to hear what both sides had to offer to help decide the better outlook for their future.
The JLP also used the short period of time given wisely, that is, the few weeks between when the Election was called and Election Day. The slogan they used, ‘From Poverty to Prosperity’ struck fire in dormant Labourites blood as well as others. PNP using the slogan, ‘Step Up the Progress’ is stale news because of their previous slogan, ‘Don’t stop the Progress’. JLP gained momentum rapidly and if the PNP dragged it out a little longer, the people would have started to take time to ponder and question the promises made.
The people have spoken and change has come. Today Jamaica wakes up to a new Government and they will be held accountable for a lot of promises made. It is often said that whenever the JLP wins, they will only be given a chance for 1 term. However, Rome was not built in a day. It certainly did not take 18 to 26 years either. So let us hope the JLP is given the chance and freedom to work towards their goals to help Jamaica to at least some form of Prosperity.
Jamaica Land We Love.
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