Why should Jamaicans trust the leadership of the PNP?

MARK GOLDING – President, People’s National Party (PNP)/Leader of the Opposition

Our philosophy is one of upliftment and empowerment of the historically dispossessed masses of the country. So, our orientation is always going to be around making sure that we do everything we can so that the average Jamaican can move forward in life and have a better life for themselves and their children. We believe in investing in people and human capital development is gonna be critical to take Jamaica out of the current trap we’re in of low wage, low tech, low growth.

And in order to deliver on those things, we need a competent government run by people who have a track record of achievement and success in their prior lives before becoming where they are now, and also who have never been questioned in terms of their integrity in the use of resources of the people.

The people of Jamaica can trust the leadership because we have demonstrated over time our competence and understanding of management and of the issues of the day and we’ve also shown that we are persons who can be trusted not to scrape and rip and run off but rather to ensure that the resources of the people are used for the people.

So, I think it’s a combination of our orientation and our established record and our commitment to integrity. We’ve all signed the leadership code of conduct of the Integrity Commission, committing to the seven pillars of good governance and we hope and intend to abide by that.

DR ANGELA BROWN BURKE – Chairman, PNP/Spokesperson on Labour

We have over time been consistent in terms of being a party committed to democracy, to social justice, to inclusion and to eliminating the inequity in society. After 61 years of Independence and we look around, whether it is around land, healthcare, education, the distinction between the two Jamaicas is stark. We have always been committed to make sure that those that are on the margins get lifted. And we have been making that recommitment. From what we have been saying, what we have been doing it is clear that that is still at the heart and centre of who we are and the policies that we are committed to.

DR DAYTON CAMPBELL – General Secretary, PNP

The people of Jamaica should trust the PNP because the most important thing for the PNP is not money, it’s not popularity, it’s people. We put people first. It is our interest to ensure that we uplift the lives of the people of this country. We have absolutely no issues with creating an environment where those who are the owners of capital can continue to do what they do and strive and be prosperous, but we have an unswerving commitment to uplifting the lives and the livelihoods of the majority of the people. And I think that this country is currently at a point that it needs a government that is people-centred and people-focused so that all Jamaicans can enjoy this beautiful island.

SENATOR PETER BUNTING – Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate/Spokesman on National Security

We’re in a situation where the two Jamaicas still persist and, in fact, may be getting even more acute than it has been at earlier times. A few are doing very well in the society but many are being pushed out of the middle class down into the struggling class. I think the People’s National Party has always focused on ensuring that the welfare and the success of the average Jamaican must be and has been at the centre of all our policies, initiatives and our programmes, and I think at this time that is certainly the focus that the people are hoping for to change their circumstances.

SENATOR DONNA SCOTT-MOTTLEY – Deputy Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate/Spokesperson on Justice and Gender Affairs

We have demonstrated that we deserve to be trusted. Our leader distinguishes himself in the sense that everybody knows that he has a sense of integrity. As I told a group, his pocket is full, he doesn’t need to put anything else there. We have demonstrated that we are a party who truly puts people first. The policies and the programmes that we always implement show that people are at the centre of development. It’s not a selfish programme which is designed to uplift people only at the top but we want to construct a Jamaica that works for all.

SENATOR GABRIELA MORRIS – Spokesperson on Youth/President, PNP Youth Organisation

As a party, we’ve shown that we stand for the many and not just for the few. And I think Jamaicans are looking for a government that will look out for their needs, and I think in our policies and ideas that we’ve put forward we have focused on critical areas that will impact the lives of ordinary Jamaicans – education, healthcare. And I think that we have shown ourselves committed to those pillars and understand how those critical areas are important to building a more equitable society. So, I think that that, compounded with our commitment to integrity, to social justice, the Jamaican people can look to us as a credible government, as a government that will look out for their needs and as a government that will move Jamaica into the next phase of its development.

NEKEISHA BURCHELL – Deputy General Secretary, PNP

The leadership of the People’s National Party has proven over decades, been around since 1938, that we are tried, proven, tested. We are the party who can be trusted. The others, I can’t say much for them. This party, we’ve signed the integrity code of conduct, the others have not, and I think that’s a clear signal from us that we’re committed to the seven pillars.

The PNP representatives participated in a Gleaner Editors’ Forum on September 7 ahead of its 85th annual conference, which is set to take place at the National Arena in Kingston from September 15-17.