Governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Chairman Robert Montague says the Andrew Holness-led administration is in no rush to announce a general election, as there is still more work to be done.

“Tell such a man from such a place that we are in no rush for any election. Dr Holness will call it when Dr. Holness is ready. We have things to do, and we are doing them according to our timetable. In St Mary and elsewhere, we have water projects to finish and road works to start,” he said.

“The people of Mason Hall, Kidland, and other communities across Jamaica are looking out for their water before the end of the year. There are other water projects to be completed, and a lot of road work will start soon. I say to the people of Mango Valley and other communities. We are ready for you now. We apologise for the delay. We apologise to all road users, but Dr Holness plans for a road bus soon, and you will see,” Montague added.

Montague, who was addressing party supporters at the JLP’s 81st Annual Conference, said that the government is actively working to provide educational opportunities, improve roadway infrastructure, create employment opportunities, and increase access to water.

Meanwhile, he renewed the call for the government to make Chief Tacky a national hero, who, he said, led the largest and longest war against slavery. “He started the great resistance; he is an inspiration.”

Montague also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to present a request to former U.S. President Joe Biden for a pardon for National Hero Marcus Garvey before the end of January. “Please remind the president that the Black Star Line company was registered in Delaware,” he noted.

While congratulating now-President Donald Trump on his victory, the chairman also implored the ministry to lobby for the issuance of more farm work and hotel visas to improve the lives of Jamaicans.

“We must continue discussions to allow Jamaicans with a clean record to travel to the United States without a visa. This government is active because we want to see you become strong. This government doesn’t give handouts; we want to give you an opportunity to improve yourselves,” Montague added.

Reacting to the outcome of Friday’s by-election, where the JLP won two parliamentary by-elections in St Andrew North West and Trelawny Southern, while the People’s National Party won the Morant Bay Division of the St Thomas Municipal Corporation and the Aenon Town Division in Clarendon Northern, he admitted that it was not the result the party would have wanted.

He noted that there are three key lessons to be learnt from Friday’s by-election. Firstly, he said more attention must be given to the most vulnerable in society: the people’s agenda, cost of living, roads, lighting, water, and housing.

Secondly, he urged the party to assist more Jamaicans in starting small businesses or expanding existing ones while growing its footprint in the digital economy. Lastly, he called for more care to be given to party workers.

“We are paying more attention to our party workers, creating more opportunities for them. The party leader started with the scholarship in education programme where children of party workers can get a scholarship or a grant. But we intend to go further,” the chairman said.

He underscored that the party is pivoting under the leadership of Andrew Holness to meet the needs of Jamaicans and urged party supporters to elect the JLP for a third term to continue the work that has started.