JLP may have waited too long to call elections – political historian

Political historian Troy Caine says the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has taken a risk by allowing so much time to pass since its General Election win to call local government elections.

There are indications the Government could announce the date for the local government elections today.

Caine notes that while the opposition People’s National Party has won nine of the 15 local government elections held in Jamaica, it is the winner of the general election that typically prevails in the local polls which follow.

He says party leaders have tended to take advantage of the momentum from the general polls by calling local elections soon after.

However, Caine says with the General Elections taking place back in February, the JLP may have lost some ground.

However, despite the delay by the JLP, Caine says he’s unsure the PNP has sufficiently resolved the issues which dogged its General Election campaign.