Ragoonath: JLP’s victory was expected

Political analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonath said the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP’s) victory over the People’s National Party (PNP) in that country’s general election on September 3 was expected.

“What I didn’t anticipate was the size of the landslide. They won three to one,” he told Newsday. “I think the people of Jamaica voted on the track record of the (Andrew) Holness Government.”

The JLP, led by Holness, won 49 of the 63 constituencies – a defeat that prompted opposition leader Peter Phillips to resign as PNP leader.

Ragoonath said the JLP’s victory reflected the Jamaican people’s satisfaction with the way the Holness Government managed the country over the past years.

He recalled Holness’ New Year’s Eve message gave a comprehensive account of his administration’s achievements.

“He ran out of time enumerating all the various successes that the government had had in dealing with the social and economic challenges of Jamaica. It was a report card that said they had succeeded in what they had offered to do in the last election.

“So it was simply a matter in which the people of Jamaica saw it fit to give the Holness government another opportunity to continue their work and to take it forward.”

Ragoonath said as opposition leader, Phillips was not able to do much, especially in the midst of the covid19 pandemic.

“I think the campaign was not as robust as one would have expected a PNP campaign to be.”

Ragoonath said there are no parallels that can be drawn between the Jamaica and TT general elections.

In the TT election, which was held on August 10, the Keith Rowley-led People’s National Movement defeated the United National Congress, winning 22 of the 41 constituencies.

Ragoonath considered this a narrow win as opposed to Holness’ overwhelming victory.

He also observed the tone of Holness’ New Year’s Eve message was generally upbeat, while Rowley’s address urged parents to pay greater attention to their children. It also called for an end to prejudice in all of its manifestations.

“Clearly, one could have seen the Holness government running away with a victory, as opposed to the PNM.