One of the boys was somewhat puzzled by his friend's comment and asked how he knew about the people in his constituency.

"Do you know how I know so much? well, it is because I live in that constituency. I am glad the other contenders came to their senses and decided not to contest the position," the boy replied.

"To tell the truth, the reason I am very proud of Mr Holness is that for once in the history of the country, we have someone who is under 40 years taking over as prime minister, and from my observation of him, I am certain he will do a very good job and make all Jamaicans proud of him," one of them added.

One of the boys said he thought there was going to be a contest for the position. He said he was surprised when he heard that the other contenders were not contesting the position.

"I knew the other contenders would not have a chance of beating Minister Holness because every day I hear people on the street saying he is the best man for the job," one of the boys said.

"He is really popular and the people really love him because I have never heard anyone passing any bad remarks about him," another boy commented.

"But what if other parliamentarians had decided to enter the race for leadership, how would it be conducted?" one of the boys questioned.

The selection of a leader for the Jamaica Labour Party is a democratic process. Each year, before the party's annual conference, nominations are open for the post of party leader. If there is more than one nomination, then an election is held to determine the leader of the party.

Voting for the leader is done by persons referred to as delegates. The delegates are determined by party groups in respective constituencies. The number of delegates a constituency has is determined by the formula which is provided for in the constitution of the party.

The candidate who receives the majority vote becomes the leader of the party.

The person who emerges as leader of the party does not automatically become prime minister.

The appointment of a prime minister is done by the governor general, who is, under the Constitution of Jamaica, obliged to appoint as prime minister, the member of the House of Representatives who has the support of the majority in the House.