Opposition dismisses claims JLP did not inherit a growing economy

Opposition spokesperson on finance, Julian Robinson, has sought to rubbish claims made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness that his administration did not inherit a growing economy upon forming the Government in 2016.

Holness, who spoke during a central executive meeting of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Sunday, said that his administration is responsible for reviving an ailing economy that has now allowed for the implementation of large-scale infrastructural projects and prevented tax increases.

But Robinson is contending that Holness’ comments were “false and misleading”, pointing out the People’s National Party (PNP) had three consecutive years of economic growth (2013, 2014, and 2015) that the JLP inherited when it took office in 2016.

“When we came in, in 2012, there was no economic programme. The Government had basically abandoned the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement. The leadership of Portia Simpson Miller as prime minister and Peter Phillips as finance minister had to re-engage the IMF and our other multi-lateral partners to get an agreement. Most importantly, the 2012 to 2016 period was the period in which we undertook the fiscal reforms that have laid the foundation for the economy that currently exists,” Robinson outlined.

“We reduced our debt from 147% of GDP to 115%. We enacted legislation to bring the fiscal rules in place. We started work on the Bank of Jamaica independence, and a number of those things have actually been acknowledged by his own cabinet ministers, including the current minister of finance and the past minister of finance,” he added.

He urged the prime minister to desist from spreading misleading information to the Jamaican public and instead focus on growing the Jamaican economy for benefit all Jamaicans. He promised that the Opposition to committed to building equity in Jamaica if they take office.

As the deadline for local government elections draws near, both the Government and the Opposition have increased their campaigning, citing their achievements and urging members of the electorate to vote for their party.

The long-awaited local government election is due by February 28, 2024. The election was constitutionally due in 2020. However, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Elections were again postponed in 2021 and 2023, with the Government claiming that the economy was too fragile to call an election.

However, Holness has promised that his administration will no longer delay the process. He has vowed to set a date for the election before the February 2024 deadline passes.