Former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Edward Seaga says the People’s National Party (PNP) would have been “wiped out” of government if the Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had called general elections for last year December.
It was widely believed that Simpson Miller would have called the elections by December, but things changed as the government grappled with the fall out of several internal and governance issues.
Speaking on Cliff Hughes Online on Power 106FM this morning, Seaga said in November, the JLP was leading the PNP by a two percent margin was destined to grow.
Seaga explains that 10 polls conducted in November suggested that eight of the constituencies won by the PNP in 2011 with under 500 votes could fall to the JLP.
He says the apparent delay in the election announcement affected the party’s funding and its efforts to maintain the momentum in what he calls the vulnerable constituencies.
Seaga says the party is now conducting polls in 12 constituencies, including the eight-targeted ones to determine whether the party continues to maintain its lead.
Former JLP leader, Edward Seaga
He says results of the ongoing polls are due next week.
Seaga admitted that the success of the JLP at the polls has historically been affected by funding issues.
The JLP was booted out of government in the last general elections by a 21-42 majority.
kmt..wouldah shouldah couldah..crap
Seaga explains that 10 polls conducted in November suggested that eight of the constituencies won by the PNP in 2011 with under 500 votes could fall to the JLP.
With an existing 21 seat margin, I fail to see how winning 8 seats would translate into a “wipe out”. Seaga’s senility is on full display. In order for the JLP to win a majority of 32 seats, they need to at least win an additional 11 seats, while holding on to the 21 seats they won in 2011. That is a tall order for a party that is technically broke and the trend is against them.
Even the a blind Phoenix could tell him that. For a man who lost 4 straight elections, it befuddles the mind that anyone would even listen to such a infirmed man.
What did u expect him to say? Things neva did a look good fi Portia fi true
The word is out there that the man has lost his faculties for real. Take whatever he is saying with a grain of salt…
I kinda tune out one don from the whole speech he made about locking down the country tighter than sardine tin.hmmmm mmmhh blood fi blood,fire fi fire?????
Yea mon, Ooo Blinds, u nuh get nuh time fi kill off the people them again, u wicked wretch u.
Oh suh him ah tell wi say, That weh obeah set it up fa. “December”! ole wicked
Plausible and even if this is true, what’s so unusual about such a move? Political expediency is not seminal or exclusive to the PNP or Jamaican politics for that matter. As a matter of fact, if the Prime Minister had the premonition to change the date of the election and she ultimately victorious on the 25th of February, in lieu of admonishing her, the PNP and political scientists should applaud her.
After the JLP won the elections of 1980, they called an early election in 1983; political expediency was the motivation behind that early election—an election that was boycotted by the opposition PNP. Catching the opposing party off guard is fair game for both parties.
You know, sometimes it pays not to have certain people speak for or defend you. I think every time the JLP tries to achieve something, whether it be a new image, to win an election, they are seemingly good until Mr. Seaga speaks on their behalf. Sometimes it’s best just to fight a battle without certain people putting in their 2 cents for your purported benefit.
Cindy, you are correct. Seaga’s presence only handicap the JLP efforts.