People’s National Party (PNP) president Mark Golding is adamant that the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ‘has no shame’, and only wants power.

Golding stated, however, that the JLP is not going to keep its power because the people of Jamaica have had enough, and the time has come for a change.

The opposition leader also noted the PNP’s candidates are committed to lifting the Jamaican people out of the doldrums under the JLP government and improving the country.

While speaking at the South St James campaign rally in support of Nekeisha Burchell, Golding expressed to loyalists that the party has a great chance to bring home the victory.

“I believe we will do it, but I don’t take it simply, and I don’t take it for granted. I’m asking you, please, do not be complacent. Do not be lazy and lackadaisical, because it’s going to take steadfastness of voting, steadfastness of courage, and steadfastness of commitment to make sure that whatever [the JLP] brings will not have any lasting and positive effect,” he said.

Golding further stated that the campaign and election period will be over in the twinkling of an eye while outlining that he’s looking forward to that and depending on the comrades to do the work and to show the commitment to deliver the victory.

“And comrades, the next government of the People’s National Party has to be a government of integrity. We have to be a government that puts moral values and attitudes at the centre of how we govern the country,” he continued.

‘Political victimisation in St James’

Golding also stated that, having visited the communities in St James, many residents have expressed concerns of political victimisation, where only a certain number of people receive support from the government.

“As I passed through and heard the tales of woe of many people in South St James, of the political victimisation that is practised here, where roads which are being built are fixed, and PNP households don’t get their section done, or where water is being delivered and it is not being delivered to PNP households. That is a disgusting way to approach governance. Jamaica should not run like that.

“We elect a Member of Parliament (MP), and that MP is the MP for everybody. Nekeisha Burchell will be the MP for everybody, and so we will build a different standard, a more decent and higher standard for how we govern the country,” he added.

The opposition leader also emphasised that Jamaica has been set back by the practice of corruption under the government and the cronyism and nepotism which have been practised. “So many scandals, so many senior ministers of government who have had to be pushed out of the cabinet because they have shown themselves unworthy to have the responsibility of looking after the people’s business. The prime minister himself is not in good standing with the anti-corruption agency of the country, the Integrity Commission. His declarations for several years have not been certified as required by law. It is putting the government and the country into disrepute.”

Golding also outlined that there are water concerns in the community of St James, but that the PNP is championing change in Jamaica.

“I have heard the cry in South St James for water in communities, and it really hurts me when I hear it because as I drove through the constituency, there is so much water in South St James, especially up in the hills. There is ample water. We don’t have a water problem. We have a water distribution problem, and I know that when Burchell becomes your Member of Parliament, she is going to advocate relentlessly to solve the water wars of the people of South St James,” said the PNP leader.

Golding further claimed that the JLP has done nothing to improve the road conditions of rural communities other than major road projects.

“So for nine years, they did nothing to deal with the road situation other than the big projects where lots of money could be made by those who shouldn’t make it. But the roads that the people drive on every day were left to get into worse and worse condition. And now that the election is upon them, they’re trying to SPARK. They’re trying to REACH, but they’ve not sparked, and they will not reach because the People’s National Party is coming, and coming hard and fast,” he added.