Chat-bout.net - UK Based Jamaicans Enthusiastic About Meeting Golding

UK Based Jamaicans Enthusiastic About Meeting Golding

The Kensington Town Hall in South West London overflowed its capacity this week as a massive crowd turned out to greet Prime Minister Bruce Golding on his first visit to London as Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Scores of people were refused entry

P.M. Bruce Golding With UK Jamaicans

as the massive hall filled to capacity well ahead of the 7 pm start. All seats were taken on the ground floor and balconies, forcing the Kensington borough chiefs to dispatch with protocol and allow dozens of people to stand along the sides. Mr Golding received an overwhelming reception when he entered the arena.

Huge cheers went up throughout his speech which lasted approximately one hour and 40 minutes. At the end, the Prime Minister’s greeting session with the audience had to be curtailed as it was difficult to control the enthusiastic supporters. He addressed key programs and policies of his administration, elaborating on issues around education, health and crime.

There was sustained applause when he announced the terms under which Air Jamaica and the sugar industry will be privatised. The audience was particularly keen to know that after privatisation, Air Jamaica will retain its identity as Jamaica’s national carrier.

The crowd which was comprised mainly of expatriate Jamaicans and British-born persons of Jamaican descent remained attentive and focused as the Prime Minister expertly articulated his administration’s approach to creating balance in the Jamaican economy and rescuing the younger generation through social intervention. Mr Golding fielded more than 20 questions at the end of his presentation. Among the issues raised were the treatment of the elderly at the Norman Manley International Airport, assistance for students at the tertiary level, the stamping out of garrison politics and the reintroduction of the railway to Jamaica.

Mr Golding was joined at the head table by his wife Mrs Lorna Golding, Minister of Transport and Works Hon. Mike Henry, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Hon. Karl Samuda, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr. Hon. Ronald Robinson and Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the UK Burchell Whiteman.

Among the UK dignitaries in attendance was Labour MP Diane Abbott, who applauded Mr Golding on his presentation, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, Labour Peer Baroness Ros Howells of St David and Dame Jocelyn Barrow.

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