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Holness Stands With Bruce
Published: Sunday | November 6, 201113 Comments
Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter
NEW PRIME Minister Andrew Holness has refused to separate himself from the decisions taken by the Bruce Golding-led government of which he was a member.
"I am a part of the JLP government. I have never sought to deny that," Holness said in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner at Jamaica House on Friday.
The prime minister was responding to criticisms from the Oppo-sition People's National Party (PNP) that he is also to be blamed for issues such as the increase in poverty and the engagement of United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in the extradition saga involving confessed gangster Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
"It is clearly the job of the PNP to discredit the job of the JLP government, but I am a member of the JLP government and there is collective responsibility which I can't shy away from," Holness said.
Pointing to economic achievements such as record low interest rates, exchange rate stability and low inflation, Holness said the PNP tried hard to achieve all three simultaneously, but failed.
correcting shortcomings
He said the Golding administration did "significant things which the PNP never had the guts to do in 18 years, delaying the inevitable".
"If we had done JDX 10 years ago, we would have been better off," the prime minister said.
"We cannot shy away from our achievement, neither can we shy away from our shortcomings ... . Whatever shortcomings there were in the previous administra-tion under Bruce Golding, this Government would have to recognise and make good and do the necessary corrections."
Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has pointed to increasing poverty levels and joblessness as evidence of "a reckless government".
She said Holness represents a continuation of failed JLP policies. "It is the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau," she said.
Full Hundred
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead7.html
Published: Sunday | November 6, 201113 Comments
Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter
NEW PRIME Minister Andrew Holness has refused to separate himself from the decisions taken by the Bruce Golding-led government of which he was a member.
"I am a part of the JLP government. I have never sought to deny that," Holness said in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner at Jamaica House on Friday.
The prime minister was responding to criticisms from the Oppo-sition People's National Party (PNP) that he is also to be blamed for issues such as the increase in poverty and the engagement of United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in the extradition saga involving confessed gangster Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
"It is clearly the job of the PNP to discredit the job of the JLP government, but I am a member of the JLP government and there is collective responsibility which I can't shy away from," Holness said.
Pointing to economic achievements such as record low interest rates, exchange rate stability and low inflation, Holness said the PNP tried hard to achieve all three simultaneously, but failed.
correcting shortcomings
He said the Golding administration did "significant things which the PNP never had the guts to do in 18 years, delaying the inevitable".
"If we had done JDX 10 years ago, we would have been better off," the prime minister said.
"We cannot shy away from our achievement, neither can we shy away from our shortcomings ... . Whatever shortcomings there were in the previous administra-tion under Bruce Golding, this Government would have to recognise and make good and do the necessary corrections."
Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has pointed to increasing poverty levels and joblessness as evidence of "a reckless government".
She said Holness represents a continuation of failed JLP policies. "It is the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau," she said.
Full Hundred
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead7.html
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