KINGSTON, Jamaica — With the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) securing 29 seats in the 2025 General Election, Dr Lloyd Waller, professor of digital transformation policy and governance at the University of the West Indies, Mona, says the parliamentary dynamic is bound to change.
“The flexibility that the Government of Jamaica, the prime minister in particular, had, the flexibility doesn’t [quite] exist anymore. So, certainly, there have to be some more consultations with the Opposition,” Waller said.
In order to pass most bills in the lower house, the Government will need a simple majority; however, some laws require a two-thirds majority of votes from Members of Parliament.
In 2020, the PNP got 14 seats to the Jamaica Labour Party’s 49. Now the PNP has 29 seats to the JLP’s 34.
In Jamaica’s leadership debate on August 28, days before the country’s General Election, PNP President Mark Golding had complained about what he described as Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ disinterest in bi-partisanship.
“He would prefer not to consult with the Opposition at all if he didn’t have to, and I say that based on my experience with him over the last five years,” Golding had said.
Added Waller, “They (PNP) were very annoyed about the consultation. So, certainly, this will now create a greater sense of checks and balances for the [Government].”