SHAW

Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:

The People's National Party (PNP) has received another major setback in its preparation for the next general election with the shock resignation of the party's candidate for South West St. Ann, Glenville Shaw.

The Gleaner has been reliably informed that the former Member of Parliament (MP), who was slated to contest the South West St. Ann seat against current MP Ernest Smith, of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has called it quits.

The resignation has left the PNP with two vacancies in St. Ann, following the earlier departure of MP for South East St. Ann, Aloun Assamba, who said she will not be representing the constituency in the next election.

Verbal clash

PNP sources said Shaw offered his resignation during a heated meeting of the constituency executive in Alexandria last Tuesday night, which was called to discuss his future as caretaker.

Shaw reportedly handed in his letter to party headquarters on Thursday.

His popularity has been said to be waning rapidly among PNP supporters in the constituency in recent times. It is understood that recent polls have Shaw trailing MP Ernest Smith badly in popular support and some members of the constituency executive have been openly voicing their concern over the prospect of a JLP victory if Shaw were allowed to contest the seat.

Shaw created history in the 1997 General Election when he defeated JLP MP Dr. Neville Gallimore to become the first PNP MP for South West St. Ann, and effectively put an end to the Gallimore dynasty, which had ruled representational politics in the area since 1944.

The once-reputed 'Power Saw' of PNP politics in St. Ann, however, lost the seat to the JLP's Smith in the 2002 General Election, and has remained the PNP caretaker for the constituency.

The Gleaner understands that, among the front-runners to replace Shaw as constituency caretaker, is councillor for the Borobridge division, Winston Brown.