At the PNP’s closing rally in Cross Roads, St Andrew, party leader Mark Golding shifted a cloud of criticism into fuel for momentum, reframing accusations from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as proof of desperation.
From Accusation to Ammunition
Golding wasted little time addressing claims that the PNP’s manifesto was pieced together with artificial intelligence. With supporters waving flags and chanting down the allegations, he dismissed the suggestion as “nonsense designed to distract” and underscored that the document was the result of disciplined policy work by his team.
The JLP had sought to undermine the PNP’s credibility, alleging the manifesto was both derivative and error-ridden. Instead of ignoring the charge, Golding leaned into it—insisting the manifesto reflects “deliberate thought and achievable ideas” and declaring that the JLP’s refusal to publish one of its own was the real insult to voters.
Housing as the Battlefield
Golding then pivoted to the substance of his party’s promises, anchoring the rally around housing. His blueprint was bold:
- 50,000 affordable homes in a first term, built on public lands unsuitable for farming.
- A reformed National Housing Trust (NHT) to return to its founding mission of helping ordinary Jamaicans.
- $500,000 deposit grants for first-time buyers.
- A $1-billion revolving fund to give younger workers a path into homeownership.
The policy thrust was clear: ownership is the centerpiece of the PNP’s campaign. “No Jamaican should be trapped as a tenant in their own land,” Golding said, earning roars from the crowd.
Beyond Housing: Broader Promises
Golding highlighted additional pledges:
- A rent-to-own system for low-income earners.
- A $1-billion Disability Fund.
- Shorter timelines for occupants of state-owned land to gain legal ownership.
- Completion of unfinished Operation PRIDE schemes and upgrading of informal settlements through the Portia Plan.
The message: structural change, not patchwork fixes.
Theatrics and Legacy
The rally wasn’t just policy—it was theatre. Golding invoked the PNP’s history by quoting lyrics from Neville Lewis’ campaign anthem, reminding Comrades of Michael Manley’s radical legacy. He tied those echoes of the 1970s to fresh pledges in 2025, promising “the first-in-family scholarship” as today’s version of Manley’s education revolution.
