The opposition Peoples National Party scored a resounding victory in the Jamaican general elections, winning 41 out of the 63 seats contested.
The ruling Jamaica Labour party took 22 seats.
In her victory speech Peoples National Party Leader Portia Simpson- Miller, thanked the people for giving her her mandate and the Prime Minister for his concession telephone call which she described as very gracious.
The speech was heavy on love, togetherness, thanks for the victory and wishes for peace, there was little on what we are to expect but these occasions are rarely about that, and given the scale of the victory perhaps the party can not be blamed for wanting to savour the moment before getting down to the hard work of governing the country.
The Prime Minister elect, told the country that they would hear from the party soon, as it organised to take over the government. She promised that as the PNP move to balance the books it will be moving to balance people’s lives too.
Speaking of his party’s defeat a sombre Jamaica Labour Party leader Andrew Holness spoke about the need for the party to rebuild and start campaigning for the next election he added that it was a humbling experience and there will need to be a time of introspection and reflection.
It was a triumphant turn around for Simpson – Miller from the defeat in 2007, when after becoming Prime Minister when PJ Patterson stepped down after a leadership race within the party, she fought and lost her first election campaign from that position.
As the results came in things began to look bleak for the JLP as some key candidates lost to the PNP and the number of declared PNP seats began to rack up towards the 30 plus mark.
Some suggest that this was a vote to vote out the JLP rather than vote in the PNP, whilst others say it was an election possibility squandered by the JLP because of off kilter strategy, bad timing and percieved arrogance.
Whatever the motivation of the electorate the results are in are in and winners and losers alike have to get on with what lies ahead now the nation has decided.