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Both the ruling People's
National Party's (PNP's) Roger Clarke and the opposition Jamaica
Labour Party's (JLP's) Russel Hammond know that the competition for
the majority of the roughly 30,000 votes in the constituency of
Central Westmoreland can go either way on election day.
As such, they are busy putting
in place their election day machinery, which, according to local
pundits, will be the decisive factor in the toss-up for the seat,
which was vacated by former PNP Cabinet minister, Karl Blythe. Both
men are confident.
In the 2002 poll, Blythe won
the contest by almost 3,000 votes against Trevor Brooks, a JLP
lightweight in a 57 per cent voter turn-out. But since then, there
have been a number of interesting developments in the constituency
which could impact negatively on the PNP's bid to retain the seat.
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| ROGER CLARKE (PNP)
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Among them is the decision
taken last November by the PNP's hierarchy to install Clarke - who
announced more than two years ago that he was quitting
representational politics - as its candidate in the constituency.
The decision angered Paul Buchanan, who had fought off four
contenders last September to come out ahead in the selection
process. Hundreds of Buchanan's supporters, incensed by the
decision, staged two demonstrations against the party's decision.
Additionally, constituents have
been hurting since Blythe's omission from the Portia Simpson Miller
Cabinet. The downturn in the sugar sector in Westmoreland has also
become a worrying factor in the PNP's camp. But Clarke, a seasoned
and very charismatic politician, is undaunted by these perceived
negatives.
RUSSELL HAMMOND (JLP) But will he be able to stave
off the very serious challenge from the determined Hammond? The
senior Cabinet minister, who was born in Westmoreland, believes he
will.
"My campaign is going very well, and I expect to come out on top,"
Clarke told the Observer West, adding that the response to his
candidacy so far has been overwhelming.Over the past few months,
Clarke has been walking in the various communities, meeting with the
local leaders, councilor /candidates and the constituents. The
senior politician has also been instrumental in getting the
authorities to clean a number of drains and repair a few roads in
the area.
But Hammond, who is a former MP
for the constituency, has been very active too. In fact, he has been
vigorously campaigning there for more than one year. Additionally,
the party's hierarchy has thrown its weight behind him. In the last
five months, for example, the leadership of the party has toured the
constituency on at least two occasions. JLP officials have made it
absolutely clear that Central Westmoreland is a seat they are
expecting to be in their winning column on election day.
Whether or not the JLP will
achieve this is left to be seen.
ROGER CLARKE (PNP)
Born: June 11, 1940
Marital Status: Married (two children)
Education: Mannings High School
Profession: Farmer/ politician
Work History: Worked as farm overseer for Sevens Estate; farm
manager for Appleton Estate and general manager for Bogue Estate.
Clarke is currently a sugar cane farmer.
Civic/Affiliation: Former councillor for the Balaclava division and
ex-mayor of Black River.
.MP for North-East St Elizabeth 1989- present
. Former chairman of the Rural Agricultural
. Development Authority's parish advisory committee in St Elizabeth.
. Junior agriculture minister 1992-1995
. Local government and works minister 1995-1998
. PNP vice-president emeritus
. Agriculture minister 1998 to present
. Former board member of the Jamaica Agricultural . Society (JAS);
National Water Commission and Rural Electrification.
RUSSEL HAMMOND (JLP)
Born: February 16,1951
Marital status: (Married) three children
Education: Grange Hill Primary
Kingston College
Profession: Businessman
Civic/Affiliation: Vice-president, National Democratic Movement (NDM)
with special responsibility for
Organisation of Western Jamaica 1999-2002
NDM Deputy General Secretary, 1996-1999
NDM Shadow Minister, Utilities and Transport 1997-1999
NDM Shadow Minister, Infrastructure, Work & Disaster Management (NDM)
1996-1999
Chairman: Knockalva Agricultural School Board
- 2004-2006
PROFILE OF CENTRAL
WESTMORELAND
Population: Approximately 100,000 Geographical characteristics: the
area covers the commercial district of Savanna-la-Mar and includes
the sugar cane-growing districts of Frome, Petersfield, Hertford and
George's Plain.
Principal economic activities: agriculture, commerce and
manufacturing.
Electorate: Approximately 30,000
Political Representatives Since
1980
1980-1983 JLP's Karam Josephs
1983-1989 JLP's Russel Hammond
1989-1993 PNP's Karl Blythe
1993-2002 PNP's Karl Blythe
2002-present PNP's Karl Blythe |
