PEOPLE’S National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding on Sunday promised that a future Government led by him will deal with what he labelled “enclave tourism”, which he said does not allow for more revenue flowing from the industry to the local economy.

Additionally, Golding told cheering PNP supporters, who had packed National Arena in St Andrew for the public session of the party’s 85th annual conference, that “the vexed issue of beach access” was on his to-do list if he is elected to office.

“Our economy, as everyone knows, has become heavily dependent on tourism. It is a major contributor to the GDP and employment. It is one of the country’s fastest-growing industries that directly employs 175,000 Jamaicans and generates indirect employment for another 354,000 people. Yet tourism should be contributing far more to the national economy,” Golding said.

“Most of the earnings from tourism never come into Jamaica. The larger hotels have adopted an enclave model where guests enjoy their entire visit by staying within the hotel or going on tours organised by the hotel. This means the benefits of the sector do not sufficiently drive the local economy, even though significant portions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on advertising Jamaica to promote the industry,” he argued.

The Government, Golding claimed, “wants to expand that model to the benefit of a few”. However, “the next PNP Government”, he insisted “will take things in the right direction by transitioning away from enclave tourism to a more inclusive model that is integrated into the Jamaican economy”.

To achieve that, incentives will be provided to hotels which integrate their business models with the local community and economy, he explained.

In relation to beach access the Opposition leader said “as Jamaica sells more sand and sea to the hotel industry, local communities are losing access to beaches as a place where families can enjoy themselves and fishing communities can thrive”.

People’s National Party (PNP) Leader Mark Golding has been commended by two political commentators for presenting an authentic speech that resonated with Jamaicans, at the party’s annual conference yesterday (September 17).

Mr. Golding spoke on topics such as constitutional reform, crime, education, and tourism.

He outlined ambitious plans for the country, to include increasing the income tax threshold to $3 million, making solar panels more affordable for regular Jamaicans and changing Jamaica’s tourism model, to ensure greater benefits for the island.

Reacting to the Opposition Leader’s speech, political analyst Linton Gordon said he addressed critical matters that are on the minds of Jamaicans.

Meanwhile, political commentator Kevin O’Brien Chang noted that Mr. Golding lived up to the expectations of his supporters.

He said while most of the plans announced by Mr. Golding will be welcomed, the Opposition Leader’s stance on the constitutional reform process could be controversial.

Golding commended for authentic speech that resonated with Jamaicans, at party’s annual conference

Supporters of the People’s National Party (PNP) have heaped praises on president Mark Golding, describing his speech at Sunday’s annual conference as relevant, comprehensive, and inspiring.

Speaking for more than an hour at the party’s 85th annual conference at the National Arena in St Andrew, Golding spoke on a wide range of issues including investment, education, economic growth, and student loan reform.

He also outlined the party’s position on food security, human rights, and constitutional reform.

One supporter told The Gleaner that those areas captivated him.

“I thought it [speech] was relevant, it touched on all the salient points. It touched on the growth of the economy, education, and employee rights. All those really resonated with me. It had something for the average man and it had something for the businessman,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Orville Manning, a 71-year-old retired teacher from Trelawny.

“The speech was very instructive to me.”

He added that the speech was also very detailed, very comprehensive, and captured all the relevant points.

Another gentleman from Trelawny, Charles Wilson, said: “It was very good, and it was inspiring. [It showed] the things that he has to offer when he became the next prime minister.”

Popular young social media personality Teddy Fabulous, said: “I think the party leader encapsulated everything that the country is going through. He also showed the country the right direction in which he wants to take the country and I must commend him for a strong message that was delivered.

“I just want to say thumbs up and to say that we are ready to take back Jamaica,” he said.

– Tanesha Mundle

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20230918/pnp-supporters-give-golding-thumbs

Golding outlines would-be focus of a PNP administration

OPPOSITION LEADER Mark Golding has pledged that an administration run by him will maintain proper fiscal management of the Jamaican economy.

Golding, who was speaking at a recent Gleaner Editors’ Forum at the newspaper’s North Street headquarters, said “a lot” was done to get past severe economic challenges that dogged the country for decades, and that he is committed to ensuring that that continues.

“The idea of ensuring that the ultimate objective of achieving debt sustainability is maintained, we’re fully on board with that. Where we will differ is on the discretionary spending that exists and how that is deployed,” the People’s National Party (PNP) president said.

“One of the benefits of the reforms that were pursued over the last 10 years is that there is every year additional fiscal space for policy decision making,” Golding added, noting that he will not yet get into specifics.

He said that there are opportunities for the PNP to emphasise things that it thinks are more important now than are currently being addressed by the Government.

“I think that the population wants to see greater emphasis on some of those things,” said Golding.

The opposition leader has consistently called for the Andrew Holness-led Government to cushion the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on the most vulnerable citizens.

Golding wants the Government to slow the pace of fiscal consolidation and debt reduction, arguing that several countries are going this route.

He said resources from that must be used to help the people who are most vulnerable and “feeling the pinch”.

The South St Andrew member of parliament said that he has proposed how to cap the ad valorem tax on oil prices under the Provisional Collection of Tax Act, suggesting that the limit be placed at US$67.50 per barrel.

Further, he pressed the Government to spend $40 billion – two per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) – to cover vulnerable groups in several segments of the population who are experiencing challenges.

“I think the population wants to see greater emphasis on some of those things. We are not the same, and we will definitely have a different programmatic platform to the Government, but one thing that we will maintain is the importance of proper fiscal management,” Golding added.

“We don’t want Jamaica to go back to a situation where the debt of the country absorbs all of the fiscal resources,” he said.

Golding is expected to outline his plans for the economy tomorrow when the party celebrates its 85th anniversary at its annual conference.

Yesterday, the party said that its conference unanimously ratified a third consecutive term for Golding as president.

A change in the party’s constitution in July mandated a two-year term of office for the president and vice-presidents.

Additionally, it said a resolution was moved which prohibits a leadership contest the year before a general election is constitutionally due.

“Therefore, Mark Golding will lead the PNP into the next general election when it is called,” a statement from the party said.

The PNP’s private session continues today and will culminate tomorrow with a public session at the National Arena.

editorial@gleanerjm.com

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has again called for the government to roll back the massive wage increases to members of the political directorate amid growing public discontent. 

Speaking at a PNP press briefing on Wednesday, Mr. Golding again questioned how the government arrived at the increased figures. 

He reiterated his call for the government to reverse the increases and instead refer the matter to an independent panel of “reputable persons” who can “come up with a set of proposals that are rationally connected with where the country is now, how the people are suffering, equity in the public service and Jamaica’s economic performance relative to our peers”.

PNP General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell insisted the salaries of all Members of Parliament, including those of the opposition, should be rolled back. 

He referenced a statement from Minister with responsibility for Information Robert Morgan on Friday, in which he maintained that the government could not reverse the salary increases.

But pointing to the action of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who on Monday announced that he would not be taking the increase, Dr. Campbell suggested that a roll back was indeed possible. 

“[The Prime Minister] has shown by his own actions that he can roll it back for himself, so we are asking for it to be rolled back for every single member of the political directorate,” he demanded. 

Dr. Campbell was also speaking at the PNP press conference on Wednesday. 

PNP issues another call for salary increases for politicians be withdrawn

BY BRITTNY HUTCHINSON Observer staff reporter hutchinsonb@jamaicaobserver.com

OPPOSITION Leader Mark Golding is doubling down on his call for the reversal of the massive salary increases to the political directorate, noting that is irrational given Jamaica’s economy and widespread disapproval.

Golding, who was addressing a People’s National Party’s (PNP) press conference on Wednesday, stressed that the pay hike is unconscionable in Jamaica and is out of whack with the political directorate in other countries.

“I repeat the call for this entire salary package for the political directorate to be rolled back, to be discontinued, and for the matter to be considered afresh by an independent panel,” he said at the press conference held at the PNP headquarters.

He said the independent panel should be able to guarantee equity across the public sector, and ensure that the salaries determined are consistent with Jamaica’s economic performance.

“This is a watershed moment for our country. Is the Government led by Andrew Holness going to retain this massive increase for the political directorate in the face of widespread dissatisfaction and opposition, given where Jamaica is now and how our people are suffering?” he asked.

In the meantime, Golding reiterated his pledge to give back 80 per cent of the salary increase he will receive as part of the Government’s compensation review for the public sector, until the salary increases are rolled back.

“If it is not rolled back and I received the increase they have allocated to me, without any consultation with me or any other member of the Opposition about this matter, I would be retaining only the minimum increase that our public servants were rewarded of 20 per cent — and anything in excess of that I would be redirecting to worthy causes. I will stick by that until this matter is resolved,” he said.

Added PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell: “Looking at what the savings would be for next year, if they pegged the ministers’ salary to where they have put all of [the] other public sector workers, and just for 2024 alone, the country would save $200 million. That’s the difference that would happen if they adjust the salaries and not put it at the higher end,” said Campbell.

“If it is that you intend to put accountability measures in place to judge your ministers, how can you start them at the highest point? It simply means that there was no plan in place to have performance-based pay for ministers because you already started them at the highest point,” added Campbell.

On Monday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he will not accept the salary increase granted to him under the public sector compensation review, stating that as leader of the country he has a duty to show solidarity with Jamaicans who are experiencing economic hardships.

Since the announcement about pay hikes in Parliament last week there has been an upheaval about the adjustments, with several protests staged by Jamaicans who have been expressing disapproval.

By Racquel Porter

Opposition Leader Mark Golding is calling for Prime Minister Andrew Holness to revise the performance evaluation mechanism for Members of Parliament, saying as it lacks key elements that will make it more effective.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr. Golding argued that while the party is not objecting to the measures announced by Mr. Holness on Monday, he feels that some critical mechanisms, including the tabling of the impeachment legislation, have been overlooked.

Mr. Golding said he tabled the impeachment legislation as a constitutional amendment in Parliament two years ago.

But he claimed it was essentially blocked by the government. 

“I’m calling on the government, again, to refer to a joint select committee so that the wider society can play a role in finalising that legislation and then it can be passed into law so that parliamentarians who behave in a manner which is offensive and inconsistent with the status and requirements of their office can be accountable for that,” he declared. 

Mr. Golding said the PNP would also be interested in the development of recall legislation that would allow the constituents to petition for the recall of a Member of Parliament.

The PNP leader argued that the petition would trigger a process that could result in an MP demitting office prior to the next general election. 

“These are mechanisms which exist elsewhere and which would help to ensure accountability for political representatives,” he suggested.