Young voters back JLP for visible change, opportunities

Many young voters at Sunday’s Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) mass rally in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, said their support for the party stems from visible community improvements and increased opportunities for youth development.

From upgraded infrastructure and social programmes to education grants and job creation, the first-time and young voters argue that the JLP’s track record is what is winning their confidence.

Among those inspired is 22-year-old Amoy Lawson, an aspiring fashion designer from August Town, St Andrew Eastern. Voting for the first time, she said it’s not just in memory of her late father, a loyal JLP supporter, but because of real change in her community.

“Mi feel like dem a do sum’n,” she said from the packed crowd. “Mi see my member of parliament, Fayval Williams, come down a my community and do a lot of things.”

She pointed to assistance with home repairs, tablet distribution to schools, and trucked water supply as evidence.

Her views were echoed by a 21-year-old supporter from St Elizabeth North Eastern, who believes the country is heading in the right direction.

“Da party yah betta fi di country, mi see more improvements in houses, jobs and crime reduction,” she said.

DESERVING OF THIRD TERM

Her friend, 28-year-old Shannoy, said the JLP deserved a third term, pointing to the Government’s attention to youth development and social programmes.

“Dem a lead Jamaica inna di right direction and I love how they are focusing on young people, dem give dem a lot of opportunities and dem a train a lot of dem and tek dem off the streets,” she said.

“And mi love how the prime minister a go out and build up houses for di people and mi love how di infrastructure dem a build up and they have a lot of grants and scholarship opportunities.”

With a smile, she urged undecided youth to think carefully: “Choose Jamaica. Choose the JLP.”

The rally drew hundreds of flag-waving, vuvuzela-blowing supporters who danced in the streets, braving showers and showing strong support for Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

Among older supporters, the mood was equally defiant, particularly among those from areas where they feel neglected by the People’s National Party (PNP).

Sheda, from St Catherine North Western, said she was done waiting for the opposition party to deliver on its promises.

“I am voting for a difference in North West St Catherine because ... the PNP has been doing nothing for us. No road, no nothing. We tiad a them now.

“Voting Newton Amos for a change, time come fi them come down now and go have ambition,” she wrote after requesting the reporter’s book amid the thunderous excitement.

Lorna Jenkins, a resident of Bull Bay, St Andrew East Rural, said she has seen more improvement under the Holness-led Government than she can recall in previous administrations.

“The PM has done so many good things for Jamaica, he has improved the schools, roads and education, which I never see before. The PNP has done nothing good.”

Nyan from August Town echoed the party’s ongoing message of prosperity: “Yuh nuh see a prosperity time? We a get house, we a get land; unemployment low, crime rate low and we are doing more for our young people. We a win, we a get the third term.”

PLACE EARNED

Supporters travelled from as far as St James and Hanover, determined to be part of the event.

James, who journeyed from the west, was convinced that the JLP had earned its place through performance, not promises.

“My party is doing excellent. They deserve a third term, and no hindrance can stop us from getting victory,” he said.

“We know people see how we work. We are not here on propaganda, we are here on our track record and we deserve a third term, fourth term and beyond.”

Glen Ricketts, from Hanover, added: “We gone clear because dem work and we on the right track fi victory.”

From St Mary, Maureen said she did not doubt the outcome.

“I am feeling great, we are doing great, and Prime Minister Andrew is doing great.”

In the meantime, Holness also announced that the nomination of candidates will take place on August 18.

The status of the by-elections he announced in four local government divisions in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation remain unclear as the electoral law vests such authority in the mayor. There is also no vacancy in one of the divisions at present.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com