KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s private sector is urging a reset in national priorities following one of the tightest electoral outcomes in the country’s modern history.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) secured 34 seats to the People’s National Party’s (PNP) 29, a result that leaves the next administration with a mandate described more as a responsibility than a triumph.
A Divided Verdict
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) framed the outcome as a mirror of the nation’s division — with nearly half of the voting population opting for change, and the other half choosing continuity.
“This is not a victory to celebrate in isolation, but a call for all sides to govern with humility and urgency,” the PSOJ said in its statement.
Turnout Troubles
Perhaps more alarming than the split verdict, however, was the silence of the majority. Fewer than four in ten Jamaicans cast their ballots. The PSOJ warned that this level of withdrawal is corrosive to public trust and could weaken the democratic foundation unless urgently addressed.
Shared Responsibility
With Parliament finely balanced, the PSOJ argued that neither party can afford to govern unilaterally. Instead, the result requires what it called “mature politics” — a recognition that solutions for growth, equity, and stability will only emerge from collaboration.
Economy as Common Ground
The business lobby reiterated its willingness to work with both sides of the aisle, stressing that economic growth is the bridge that can unify a divided public. Policies that strengthen investment, support small and medium enterprises, and expand opportunities for young Jamaicans were highlighted as urgent.
“The private sector cannot stand aside. We are prepared to be a consistent partner in shaping the environment where businesses thrive and, by extension, where Jamaicans prosper,” the PSOJ said.
