Comrades at war in Western St Andrew

By Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter

Williams, Henry-Wilson and Ford

AN INTERNAL struggle in the Western St. Andrew constituency over which candidate will represent the People's National Party (PNP) at the next general election is threatening to embarrass a government already struggling to come to grips with the sudden resignation of Francis Tulloch as Member of Parliament for the North West St. James seat.

Signs that all was not well in the constituency surfaced at the recent Region Three conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. At the two-day event, factions backing incumbent Member of Parliament O.T. Williams, whose support has reportedly dwindled, and aspirant Dr. Jepthah Ford, openly traded insults.

According to a PNP insider, a confrontation between the two groups left a Ford supporter nursing a fractured arm during the closed session of the conference. Journalists attending the public session on the Sunday of the two-day event heard the warnings issued by those in Mr. Williams' corner.

"No O.T., No seat," was their response to those who said they did not want the MP representing them at the next election.

Party General Secretary Maxine Henry-Wilson yesterday confirmed she had asked Dr. Ford to stop campaigning in the constituency and to desist from establishing an office there.

"We are determined that what is happening there must not rebound to the disadvantage of the party," she told The Gleaner.

"We can't have two parallel organisations going there so I have told Dr. Ford we only have one Member of Parliament."

She said aspirants like Dr. Ford are treated differently "and in the case of this constituency the matter is before the party leadership ... so all activities must cease."

Dr. Ford was reportedly in the process of transforming an abandoned building at Ellastowe Avenue, off Bay Farm Road, into offices which would house, among others, a homework centre and computer lab.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that many party members, including some who are dissatisfied with Mr. William's performance over 12 years, are uncomfortable with Dr. Ford's desire to contest the seat. They are mindful of his election (or non-election) record. Dr. Ford has lost in consecutive elections ­ 1989, 1993 and 1997, going up against the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Derrick Smith in bordering North West St. Andrew.

Still others are questioning whether the party hierarchy sent a double message when Williams was appointed deputy speaker of the House earlier this year, since at the time it was widely felt he was on his way out.

"It is my understanding that the party had indicated some months ago to O.T. that he would not be going back but I think he has remained adamant. He has written to the party to that effect," a Gleaner source said. Mrs Henry-Wilson noted however, that "we need to separate both issues".

"An appointment in the State doesn't (necessarily) have any enduring significance for the party," she said.

"I won't comment on that," was her curt response when asked whether the party was satisfied with the performance of Mr. Williams in the constituency. As to why the party would even consider Dr. Ford at this time based on his record, the general secretary said "I can't answer that question".

She did say the constituency was under review and that the constituency executive was scheduled to meet with the leadership of the party. Others who have reportedly expressed an interest in the Western St. Andrew seat are Sonia Rickards who lost to the JLP's Karl Samuda in North Central St. Andrew last time out, and PNP deputy General Secretary Linton Walters.

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