PNP rubbishes manifesto criticism by JLP

The People's National Party (PNP) has dismissed criticisms made by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) of its election manifesto.

At a press conference on Thursday, the JLP stated that many of the plans and programmes being proposed by the PNP have already been implemented or are currently being addressed by the governing party.

READ:Still without its own manifesto, JLP heaps scorn on PNP's

The JLP argued, among other things, that this highlights a lack of leadership the PNP can offer Jamaicans.

It also questions how the PNP would fund its promises.

But, the PNP says it stands by its pledges to Jamaicans.

"Their desperate attempt at fearmongering, designed to mislead the public with baseless accusations about fiscal irresponsibility, is nothing more than political scare tactics," the PNP said in a statement.

"We reiterate that our proposals are carefully costed and fiscally sustainable. They will be implemented within the fiscal rules which the PNP strengthened in 2014 when we were last in Government. We remain committed to fiscal discipline, debt reduction, and prudent management of public resources," the party added.

Funding for our proposals will come from: 1.Readjustment of Programme Expenditure - Reallocating within the J$360 billion provided annually for programmes. We will reprioritise spending to channel resources to initiatives that deliver the greatest benefits to the Jamaican people. 2.Natural Growth in Government Revenues – As projected in the Government's own Fiscal Policy Paper, nominal GDP growth will yield approximately J$140 billion in additional revenues over the next three years, averaging about J$46.78 billion per year.

3.Cutting Waste and Streamlining Government – Reducing inefficiencies, consolidating functions, and ensuring that every tax dollar is spent effectively and transparently.

The PNP has charged that its proposals are strategic, responsible, and focused on improving the lives of Jamaicans.

"Our plan will invest in better jobs, stronger communities, affordable access to essential services, and greater economic opportunity for all."

Further, the PNP defended its fiscal management.

Pointing to remarks made at the press conference where Finance Minister Fayval Williams claimed that the PNP has a history of borrowing to fund its programmes, the PNP is arguing that the JLP is not shining the light on its own fiscal management.

"What she did not say — and what the Jamaican people deserve to know — is that cumulatively from FY 2017/18 to FY 2023/24, the Andrew Holness-led administration borrowed approximately J$1 trillion to fund the national budget.

"When the estimated borrowings for FY 2024/25 and the projected borrowings for FY 2025/26 are added, the total soars to roughly J$1.35 trillion. These figures come directly from the Government's own Revenue Estimates, tabled in Parliament each year and available on the Ministry of Finance's website."

The JLP must also be reminded that throughout its term in office, it has been the beneficiary of the structural and economic reforms implemented by the last PNP Government, reforms that rescued Jamaica from the brink of economic collapse where the JLP had left it in 2011, said the PNP.

"It was the PNP that stabilised the macroeconomy, strengthened the fiscal rules, and embedded into law the binding requirement to achieve a 60 per cent debt-to-GDP target, securing debt sustainability for the long term.

"We carried out legislative reforms to broaden the tax base, close revenue leakages, improve business facilitation, and simplify administrative processes. These measures created a more efficient revenue system and generated higher tax collections — revenues which the JLP has enjoyed without having to make the difficult policy choices we made."

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