Just days before his expected ascension to the position of Jamaican Prime Minister, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) frontrunner Mr. Andrew Holness, has already begun to make way for elections.

The powerful JPL Area Council One has thrown its weight behind Andrew Holness, endorsing his candidacy to become party leader and prime minister of Jamaica.

Speaking at an Area Council One meeting, the man touted to be the most suitable candidate for the position of Prime Minister, evoked a frenzy among his supporters when he told them to prepare to “run with him” in the next general election.

Holness, who was formally nominated by the Kingston Western constituency represented by outgoing Prime Minister Bruce Golding, accepted the nomination and told the hundreds of horn-blowing, bell-ringing Labourites that he was signing a contract with the people
of Jamaica.

The supporters applauded amidst great suspense, after the in coming leader quipped that the days leading to the next election may be shorter than expected.

Holness told his supporters: “There will come a time when we will be required to seek a new mandate from the people of Jamaica. The time may be short, or it may be down the road, or it may be long. We don’t know, but there will come a time. All I can say to you is get ready.”

Holness, the current Minister of Education and Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, was last Tuesday endorsed by at least 13 members of parliament during a special meeting at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in St Andrew.

The 39-year-old Holness has consistently emerged ahead of other members of his party in public-opinion polls, and has received strong support to replace Golding, who has announced he will depart from the post of JLP leader and prime minister come November.

“I have not won a prize. What I have just done is to put myself (forward) to assume the mantle of leadership of this country. I don’t approach that task giddy-headed. I don’t take it lightly.

“I approach it with sobriety, with clear vision as to what this country needs to prosper. I approach the task, asking God to bless me, to give me strength in adversity, to give me wisdom when there is confusion. I approach the job with some amount of excitement, because I have always wanted to do this.” Holness told the crowd, in an address which sounded like he had already taken the oath of office.

Under the Jamaican constitution, the ruling political party can call an election months before the designated time.

An early election can be beneficial to a political party, as it can potentially convert public confidence into votes, before the momentum of the party’s popularity starts dwindling.

Under Jamaica’s Two-Party system of Government, it is customary for the victorious political party, to be given a mandatory five-year term in power, before the opposition party can challenge them for the leadership position in an election.

“The Opposition has no understanding of what is required to run a modern country. Every time you ask what they are doing, they can’t present. So if they are not in government and they don’t have any responsibility, and they can’t develop even a plan to show this country where they want to take it, then why should you even consider giving them an opportunity to drive you? Where will they drive you if they can’t even develop the map to take you where you want to go?” asked Andrew Holness.

The decision of the current Prime Minister, The Honourable Bruce Golding, to resign from his post, has been hailed by some of his supporters as a step in the right direction.

The popularity and appeal of Mr. Golding received a devastating blow, as a result of the events surrounding the arrest and extradition of former West Kingston Area Leader, Christopher “Dudus” Coke.

Jamaicans are now awaiting the formalities of voting and appointment process before the formal declaration of their new leader and
Prime Minister.