Darraine Luton, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

Lee

IN EVERY election, there are casualties; some big, others not so big, but a defeat is a defeat nonetheless. There are some defeats, however, which would no doubt inflict serious damage, especially if it rips the crown of a political career, as is the case of George Lee.

From the December 5 local government elections, The Sunday Gleaner presents the five biggest losers at the poll in which the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won most parish councils.

George Lee. In spite of Keith Hinds' promising to beat him for the job of Portmore Mayor, Lee was adamant that he could not lose. In fact, Mr. Portmore told Hinds that he would get at least a thousand Labour votes. However, on election night, Lee was left pulling out his grey hair after Hinds overcame a 1,044 margin to win as mayor.

Poor Mr. Lee is yet to recognise what has hit him. Let us see if Hinds will keep his promise to give Lee the chair he occupied, as he walks into the political sunset.

Young

Joyce Young. For months she has been campaigning on a vision for the West St. Andrew constituency. It is only that the vision was too distant and did not materialise when she faced Anthony Hylton in the general election.

Not only was Young unable to win a parliamentary seat, but she was also given the unceremonious boot by voters in the Duhaney park division, who ditched her for the People's National Party (PNP) Kevin Taylor.

Faith and stupidity

Witter

Joseph 'Bunny' Witter. Some say that there is a thin line between faith and stupidity. Maybe there is some element of truth in the statement. Bunny Witter, the PNP lightweight who contested the West Kingston constituency for the PNP, decided that he had no chance of winning either the Denham Town or Tivoli Gardens divisions in West Kingston. Witter migrated to West Rural St. Andrew for the local government polls. He found refuge in the Lawrence Tavern division but not in the hearts of most voters, who opted instead to elect John Myers.

White

Benny White. Maybe it was because Government Minister Robert Montague threatened that fellowship would not get roads unless they voted against Benny White. Or probably, the division was resolute to show him that they were not pleased that he had danced around with their votes.

The former mayor of Port Antonio who got the post by virtue of leaving the JLP to side with the PNP in the parish was beaten by Margaret Phillips when he faced her in the Fellowship division.

A veteran politician at the parochial level, he may just not recover from this beating.

Robinson

Julian Robinson. He came out of the blocks faster and looked far more relaxed than other candidates in the local government elections. Robinson had well-designed hand-held fans, glossy brochures, and beautifully designed posters. Winning the Trafalgar division was his aim, but for the second time in a row, Wade Roy Clarke of the JLP beat him for the seat.

Robinson has said that he will be back, but in the meantime, he has his duties as deputy general secretary of the PNP to perform, which might become difficult now, considering that he is two times a loser.