Natalie Neita-Headley of the People's National Party celebrates victory at the North East St. Catherine PNP run-off June 4. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THREE CONTENDERS are today vying for the right to represent the People's National Party (PNP), in the East Central St. James constituency in the next general election.
Jacqueline McBean-Blake, Hughlin Boyd and Donald Colomathi, councillor for the Spring Mount division, are all seeking to represent the parish's largest constituency.
Councillor Colomathi told The Gleaner that after a 25-year career in politics, he is ready to reap the benefits of the legwork he has done throughout the constituency.
"I am more prepared. I have built up a relationship with the broader constituency. I am now about to seek to reap from the foundation that I have laid," Colomathi said. "East Central St. James has always been a marginal constituency, but the JLP will not be enjoying the same support they had in 2002 if I am selected," he added.
NO STRANGER
Mrs. McBean-Blake is no stranger to the political arena. She contested the 2002 Local Government Elections for the Barrett Town division, but lost to the Jamaica Labour Party's Harold Henry.
Newcomer Hughlin Boyd was unavailable for comment.
Viewing the selections with ambivalence, the sitting MP commented that the outcome of the selection will not affect the JLP's status in the constituency.
"It does not matter to us which of the three that will try to take the seat. We know of Colomathi and he lost hugely when he tried the last time. East Central is solid JLP," said Edmund Bartlett.
"The profile of the constituency has changed in favour of the JLP. We had 18,000 votes (but) we now have 23, 600. Certainly it is going to be quite a challenge for developing the wider vision to ensure that all the needs of the constituents are served."
