EDMUND BARTLETT, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesman on Tourism, is one of five Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Members of Parliament making a comeback after winning a seat in the October 16 parliamentary elections. He is also brother to newcomer to representational politics, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett.
Mr. Bartlett makes a comeback after nine years out of the House of Representatives and five out of the Senate. Having first won a seat to the House of Representatives in the 1980 general election, he first tasted defeat at the hands of the People's National Party's Colin Campbell, in the 1993 general election for the Eastern St. Andrew seat. He was named an Opposition Senator that year. He thus served as a parliamentarian for 17 consecutive years, 13 as MP and four as Senator.
The former Youth Minister was again defeated at the polls in 1997, this time by the PNP's Violet Nielson for the St. James East Central seat.
Undaunted, he remained in the constituency which he "worked" for the past five years. His patience and hard work paid off as he prevailed over Donald Colomathi of the PNP in the October 16 general election, making a grand return to the House of Representatives.
He has had a somewhat distinguished career in politics dating back to 1980. One of four JLP deputy leaders, he has been a marketing executive and marketing consultant since 1969.
Born in Georges Plain, Westmoreland on December 3, 1950, Bartlett attended St. Elizabeth Technical High School and the University of the West Indies. He has served in numerous positions both in and out of politics. He was senior accountant at Revere Alumina Jamaica Ltd.; marketing assistant and marketing sales manager, Texaco Caribbean Inc.; Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and Culture 1980-83; vice president, World Conference on Cultural Policies 1982; Minister of Youth and Community Development 1983-1989.
Mr. Bartlett who attends the Church of God, has been married to Carmen Williams since 1974. They have one daughter and one son.
