ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Prime Minister and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader Dr Andrew Holness handed over his now-famous ‘1PM’ sweatshirt to veteran entertainer Mr Vegas during the party’s mass rally in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Sunday night.
The moment came after the entertainer, born Clifford Smith, wrapped up a brief performance before thousands of cheering JLP supporters. Smith, who has long been an outspoken supporter of the JLP, was preparing to leave the stage when Holness presented him with the black sweatshirt, which has become a recognizable part of his campaign wardrobe.
JLP Deputy Leader Desmond McKenzie lightened the mood with a quip:
“A don’t want anybody attack Vegas for the sweatshirt.”
Holness, smiling, carefully folded the sweatshirt before handing it over, as some supporters in the audience tried to get their hands on the coveted piece of campaign memorabilia.
The Prime Minister first debuted the ‘1PM’ shirt at a JLP rally in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, on August 10. At last week’s mass rally in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, he went even further—tossing one into the crowd, where it was quickly snatched up by an eager female supporter.
The symbolic gesture to Mr Vegas added to the night’s energy, reinforcing the entertainer’s visible alignment with the governing party just days before Jamaicans head to the polls on September 3

