‘This is 250, not 150!’ — Tavares-Finson says JLP rally biggest in party’s history

Half-Way Tree Square in St Andrew turned into a sea of green today as scores of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters flooded the streets for what Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson boldly declared the largest political meeting in the party's history.

Tavares-Finson, a veteran Labourite, compared the massive turnout to the People's National Party's (PNP) famed 1980 rally in Sam Sharpe Square in St James, which reportedly drew 150,000 people.

Despite touting such turnout, the party went on to lose that year's general election.

"This is not 150, this is 250," said Tavares-Finson as he dismissed any suggestion that the JLP could suffer a similar fate despite the mammoth crowd.

He was with Denise Eldemire-Shearer, professor and widow of former prime minister and JLP leader Hugh Shearer, who looked on approvingly as party faithful roared in agreement.

With Half-Way Tree now a gridlock of supporters, both young and old, clad in full green, the stage is set for for JLP leader and Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness' long-awaited election date announcement.

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