Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Bruce Golding (second right), with wife Lorna (centre), son Steven (right) and daughter Annmerita, at Sunday night's rally in Mandeville square. Looking on at left is Joan Gordon Webley, JLP candidate for South East St. Andrew. - photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The state of the country's justice system, constitutional reform, the education system and plans to revolutionise the agriculture sector were the main highlights of a presentation by leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Bruce Golding, as he addressed thousands of party supporters Sunday night.

Mandeville square and its immediate environs were transformed into a sea of green, as the party kicked off the final leg of its election campaign.

Pledging to rid the Jamaica Constabulary Force of corrupt cops and those who infringe human rights, Mr. Golding indicated that when agents of the state violated the rights of Jamaicans, action must be taken against them.

Job creation was again placed on the agenda, with Mr. Golding promising to provide employment opportunities for Jamaicans.

He said this would be a key area of emphasis for his administration, which intended to achieve this objective by growing the economy.

New agro technology

In terms of agriculture, Mr. Golding said his team would introduce new technology to assist farmers in their production output. In addition, he said his administration would play a pivotal role in providing market intelligence to farmers who were searching for markets, locally and overseas.

Mr. Golding also used the opportunity to respond to what he described as criticisms from political commentators, who said he lacked charisma and could not be trusted.

The JLP leader told supporters that he did not need charisma to carry out the job he intended to do, but that he had a vision for the country, which would provide a better standard of living for its people.

On the question of trust, Mr. Golding dismissed the argument that because he left the JLP and formed the National Democratic Movement and then returned to the party, he could not be trusted.

He argued that he should be judged based on his loyalty to the country.

Mr. Golding said constitutional reform issues, including term limits for prime ministers and a fixed election date, among others, were matters that have been resolved within the JLP and will be introduced when the party becomes the government.

At Sunday's rally, the party's 60 candidates were presented to supporters, a team which Mr. Golding called "committed men and women who shared his vision that Jamaica can be a better place".

Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Bruce Golding talks with enthusiastic supporters at a JLP rally in Mandeville square on Sunday night, where the JLP kicked off the final leg of its election campaign.

A Jamaica Labour Party supporter puts up the party's sign as seen on a photo with leader of the party, Bruce Golding.