KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Prime Minister designate, Portia Simpson-Miller, Thursday night urged nationals to put aside their political difference and joined her People’s National Party (PNP) administration in a building a new Jamaica.
Simpson-Miller, the first ever woman to head of a government in this country, led the PNP to a 41-22 thrashing of the incumbent Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in Thursday general election that was called one year ahead of the constitutional deadline, according to the preliminary results.
“This leader with her team will be working with all Jamaicans as one Jamaican family as we shape the future of Jamaica together,” she told supporters celebrating the party’s return to power after it was defeated in the 2007 general election.
In a victory speech interspersed with music, Simpson-Miller said that she had already received congratulatory messages from outgoing prime minister Andrew Holness and some leaders within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping.
Holness, 39, the youngest ever head of government here, now has the un-envious record of being the only prime minister to serve one term in office since the island attained political independence from Britain in 1962.
‘Starting tomorrow we will be rebuilding. Our campaign for the next government starts tomorrow. We are determined to serve the people of the country in the best way possible.
‘It is clear to us however that the people of the country still have certain concerns apparently about the Jamaica Labour Party and we will be reflecting on those,” Holiness said in his statement conceding defeat.
Simpson-Miller 66, who served as prime minister from 2006-2007 when then prime minister PJ Patterson resigned from active politics, thanked “everybody who played a role in ensuring the PNP’s victory.
“I am humbled by the support of the Jamaican people and I ask you to ensure that you greet Jamaica labour Party supporters with love,” she added.
“I want to thank all the voters of Jamaica,” she said, adding that they had ‘kept our democracy alive and well today”.
Simpson -Miller, affectionally referred to as “Sista P” and “Comrade Leader” faces deep problems as she takes over the government, with debt running at approximately 130 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and unemployment at more than 12 per cent.
The prime minister designate has already said that her administration will be seeking to renegotiate the multi-billion dollar Standby Agreement (SBA) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)..
The next government may well be forced to adopt austerity measures, including sacking public sector workers, in a bid to tackle the debt, analysts say.
“We have plenty of work ahead of us…you will hear from us soon as we move to put our team in place,” she told supporters, urging all Jamaicans “to work with us as we move this country forward together.
“We will tell you as it is, we will hide nothing from you, when it is tough and rough we will let you know, when it is easy we will let you know,” she said, informing all investors and businesses “that you have a government you can trust”.
She said her administration would be working with Jamaicans in the Diaspora to “move Jamaica forward.
“We are going to unite and move Jamaica as it has never seen before,” she added.
