KINGSTON, Jamaica – The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is set to launch its 2025 election manifesto, titled “I Choose Jamaica: The Next Chapter,” this Sunday, August 24, with a mass rally at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James. This significant event marks the first time the party will unveil its electoral blueprint outside of the capital, Kingston, a move designed, according to party officials, to bring policies directly to the people and foster greater engagement.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who leads the JLP, has extended an invitation to supporters, highlighting the party’s claimed achievements over the past nine years. These include drastic crime reduction, job creation, infrastructure improvements, and expanded opportunities for citizens. The JLP has also bolstered its campaign with a revamped website, JamaicaLabourParty.com, featuring new interactive elements like a parish map detailing completed infrastructure projects, and a ministry highlight e-book, all aimed at showcasing accountability and progress.
JLP’s Vision and Claimed Achievements
The JLP’s manifesto launch is underpinned by the party’s narrative of significant national progress. Prime Minister Holness has frequently pointed to substantial reductions in crime, with recent reports indicating murders down by as much as 14-19% in specific periods and major crimes reaching 24-year lows. The party also touts an economy that has seen unemployment fall to historic lows of around 3.3-3.5%, coupled with stable exchange rates, reduced national debt, and substantial investments in infrastructure ranging from roads and water supply to healthcare and education facilities. Key economic achievements cited include a near 50% slash in unemployment since 2016, a doubling of the minimum wage, and increased income tax thresholds.
Opposition’s Criticisms Surface
The JLP’s strategy has not been without its critics, primarily from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP). The PNP has strongly criticized the JLP’s decision to launch its manifesto at a mass rally, arguing it signals a partisan approach that prioritizes party supporters over the broader Jamaican populace. Furthermore, the timing of the launch, just days before a national political debate and a mere ten days before the September 3, 2025, general election, has drawn sharp rebukes. PNP officials have described the timing as “woefully unacceptable” and reducing the debate to “a debate of theatre,” suggesting it limits public scrutiny and substantive policy discussion. The opposition has also questioned the JLP’s accountability, with some characterizing the manifesto as potentially “rushed,” “error-riddled,” or lacking in detailed policy prescriptions.
Election Countdown and Campaign Focus
With Nomination Day set for August 18, the upcoming September 3 general election marks a pivotal moment for Jamaica, with the JLP seeking a third consecutive term in office. Both major parties are intensifying their campaigning efforts, with the JLP aiming to leverage its record of achievements and its new digital tools to connect with voters. The announcement of the manifesto launch location and date is a key development in this ongoing political news cycle, setting the stage for further debate and public engagement as the nation prepares to make its choice.
The JLP’s strategy emphasizes direct engagement with communities, utilizing its online platform and public rallies to disseminate its vision and highlight its performance. As the election nears, the discourse surrounding the manifesto and the campaign strategies of both major parties will continue to shape the political landscape of Jamaica.