Despite the assassination attempt on the life of former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Andrew Michael Holness the resolve of the Opposition has not been shaken

Despite the assassination attempt on the life of former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Andrew Michael Holness by misguided elements using AK47 assault weapons on two JLP political events the resolve of the Opposition has not been shaken. Four JLP supporters in their party colours of green have so far been killed in the western end of Jamaica W. I..

The failure to retaliate to these unprovoked attacks is a deliberate strategy it appears by the leadership of the Opposition JLP. The JLP has no reason to resort to violence as it is leading in the polls especially among young voters likely to vote.

They are rejecting old style politics of stick, stones, bottles and guns. Instead they resort to social media, and sound plans as their deadliest weapons.

Ten Point Plan

Andrew Michael Holness has been publicly setting out his plan which has income tax reform and things like

1) Doubling the minimum wage to J$12 000

2) Raising the tax threshold to J$1.5 million from J$592 000.

3) Free WIFI for internet connection on Public buses.

4) Raising the loan ceiling for first time home buyers- National Housing Trust (NHT)

5) To increase loan ceiling for Tertiary students through the Student Loan Bureau (SLB).

6) To implement a new Apprenticeship scheme to improve skills level among the youths especially. To name a few of the Opposition’s plans.

The PNP has been bad mouthing the plan as it took them by surprise. It was during the unveiling of this Ten Point Plan at Sam Sharpe Square by the Opposition Leader that gun shots rang out in an apparent attempt to assassinate Holness and his wife who was near to him on the platform.

Second Terrorist Attack

The Associated Press reported on the second attack, Tuesday February 9, in Flankers, outskirts of Montego Bay, a known JLP stronghold. A JLP motorcade was shot up killing one and injuring 6.

This followed the deadly Sam Sharpe Square, February 7, 2016 attack that killed 3, and injuring 4, a foiled assassination attempt on the life of Andrew Michael Holness Opposition Leader with AK47s … high powered assault weapons capable of hitting targets 85 feet away. Luckily personal protection security ushered Holness, his wife Juliet, and Audley Shaw, Opposition Spokesman on Finance to safety. This was a deliberate terrorist attack by desperate elements. This bloody and deadly terrorist attack brought the meeting to an abrupt end.

PNP Deny Acts Of Terrorism

The PNP said it was not their doing … this denial is difficult to believe … who else would dare to attack the Opposition? What would be their motive? It took nearly a week for PM to regret loss of life in attacks.

National Security Minister Bunting has been deafengly silent on the attacks. This apparent silence has left tongues wagging in disbelief. Bunting has responsibility for the police … he/Bunting has questions to answer.

Jamaicans are to go to the Polls over a year before they are constitutionally due. High unemployment, low growth nationally, high crime wave, the need to cut public sector by about 30 000 as agreed on with the IMF. are among the issues facing the PNP led Simpson Miller government.

The JLP has a solid record of growth whenever in government and this record has never been broken by any PNP government. This is a headache for Dr. Peter Phillips and them all.

In a related development the PM is threatening to pull out of National Leadership Debates setting redicilous conditions includinding demanding withdrawal of statement by Holness calling AK47 attack at Sam Sharpe Square as “an act of terrorism”

Hopeton O’CONNOR-DENNIE, Senior International Correspondent for Vision Newspaper Canada.