Golding assesses election

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding is confident that Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, Andrew Holness, can rebuild the party following its crushing election defeat.

In his first public comments since the People's National Party thrashed the JLP 42-21 in the December 29, 2011 general election, Golding said the Labourites have been this way before.

After his shock resignation as Prime Minister and the announcement of his decision not to seek re-election as party leader, Golding said the move would have increased the stakes of his party.

However speaking this morning on Nationwide Radio, Golding said he knew it would have been tough for the JLP.

Golding said while the defeat was disappointing, he was surprised by the loss in three seats he believed were safe for the JLP.

Golding said he had identified 15 seats that he believed would have determined the election outcome.

According to Golding, he told the party that it had to win 11 of those seats for a bare majority.

radio@gleanerjm.com