Jamaica Labour Party leader, Edward Seaga, and People's National Party leader, P.J. Patterson, rally supporters.Erica Virtue and Glenda Anderson, Staff Reporters
The political campaign scene will come alive today as the 'big guns' - the governing People's National Party (PNP) and Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) - hold rallies in separate sections of the island, as they prepare for the upcoming general election.
The PNP will hold a regional rally at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James, the country's second city and the scene of some of the largest crowds drawn by the party during any political campaign.
Campaign director for the PNP, Dr. Paul Robertson said on Friday that the rally will not be a national one. He explained that the event will see six candidates representing four constituencies in St. James and two in Hanover being presented.
"Those candidates will be our main focus. Of course, other candidates will be there and it will be addressed by the party president, and Prime Minister P. J. Patter-son," he added.
The candidates to be presented are Derrick Kellier - Southern St. James; Hugh Solomon - West Central St. James; Donald Colomatti - East Central St. James and Gordon Brown - North Western St. James. The party's candidates in Hanover will be Lloyd Hill in Eastern Hanover and Ralston Hanson for Western Hanover.
According to Dr. Robertson, the PNP president will address its position on education and other issues, and it will also be addressed by other senior party personnel.
The JLP will gather en masse downtown Kingston, near Tivoli Gardens, the stronghold of Western Kingston, which is represented by Opposition Leader, Edward Seaga. Party supporters will gather around the bust of National Hero, Sir Alexander Bustamante, in South Parade.
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga said yesterday that all of its candidates, 'barring illness' are expected to be there and the meeting will unveil phase two of its campaign leading up to the election.
In an interview Friday, Mr. Seaga said the second phase of the campaign will feature the launching of the Manifesto, and tonight's rally will feature the public launch of summarised versions of aspects of the document.
Highlight of the manifesto will be the disclosure of the JLP's health policy.
Mr. Seaga said Friday that it will include major health care proposals affecting "the elderly, the poor and the vulnerable." He said that it would cover areas such as medical, hospitals and drug costs.
The 214-page document will also deal with other areas such as crime, justice, the economy and housing.
One volume of the document to be presented will be based on a contract of 10 pledges which the JLP will be making to the Jamaican people.
Mr. Seaga was unwilling to say which was the number one pledge. Instead he responded, "I don't think we have a number one. There are many very attractive proposals, and I would not like to single out any one."
Hill in Eastern Hanover and Ralston Hanson for Western Hanover.
According to Dr. Robertson, the PNP president will address its position on education and other issues, and it will also be addressed by other senior party personnel.
The JLP will gather en masse downtown Kingston, near Tivoli Gardens, the stronghold of Western Kingston, which is represented by Opposition Leader, Edward Seaga. Party supporters will gather around the statue of National Hero, Sir Alexander Bustamante, in South Parade.
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga said yesterday that all of its candidates, 'barring illness' are expected to be there and the meeting will unveil phase two of its campaign leading up to the election.
In an interview Friday, Mr. Seaga said the second phase of the campaign will feature the launching of the manifesto, and tonight's rally will feature the public launch of summarised versions of aspects of the document.
Highlight of the manifesto will be the disclosure of the JLP's health policy.
Mr. Seaga said Friday that it will include major health care proposals affecting "the elderly, the poor and the vulnerable." He said that it would cover areas such as medical, hospital and drug costs.
The 214-page document will also deal with other areas such as crime, justice, the economy and housing.
One volume of the document to be presented will be based on a contract of 10 pledges which the JLP will be making to the Jamaican people.
Mr. Seaga was unwilling to say which was the number one pledge. Instead he responded, "I don't think we have a number one. There are many very attractive proposals, and I would not like to single out any one.
