JAMAICA | PNP Condemns Tribal Politics and Threatening Behaviour of JLP Candidate in Greater Portmore East Division

Kingston, Jamaica. February 23, 2024: The People's National Party (PNP), has condemned the reprehensible incident of partisan politics carried out against the PNP Councillor Candidate for the Greater Portmore East Division, Hochoy Gordon by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) contender, Patrick Barrett.

On February 22, 2024, it was reported that JLP candidate Patrick Barrett made threats against Hochoy Gordon.

The matter was reported to the police and an emergency meeting was consequently convened with both candidates and Member of Parliament for South St. Catherine Fitz Jackson along with the Senior Superintendent of Police and other senior police personnel to urgently address the issue.

Mr. Barrett was strongly cautioned by the police regarding his highly inappropriate and provocative behaviour.

The Member of Parliament highlighted that this incident follows another disturbing event just two weeks ago, where a member of Mr. Barrett's campaign team physically assaulted the daughter of the PNP candidate, resulting in her hospitalisation.

“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and must be unequivocally condemned”, said Jackson.

 “We notice this violent trend by the JLP to engage in intimidation tactics as we have seen in Sydenham, August Town, Rose Hall, and many other communities.

Tribal politics and intimidation tactics have no place in our democratic process and only serve to undermine its integrity”.

He added that the recently aborted attempt by the Prime Minister to reintroduce gerrymandering in Portmore and St. Catherine is indicative of the extent to which the JLP would go in order to win the elections.

This, he said,  is even more cause for concern as the JLP seeks to regress to the politics of the 80s. 

As we near the end of the upcoming local government election campaigns, it is imperative that all parties and candidates adhere to the principles of respect, civility, and fair play.

The PNP is calling upon all political actors in Greater Portmore to uphold the highest standards of dignity and respect and to prioritise the well-being and safety of all citizens.

The people of Greater Portmore deserve better, and it is our duty to ensure that their voices are heard through a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process.

“I remain vigilant in monitoring the situation in Greater Portmore and other sections of Portmore, and stand ready to take further action, if necessary, to uphold the integrity of our democratic institutions” said Jackson.

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