‘This is PNP territory’ - Phillips adamant Comrade will succeed Bloomfield; JLP vows Vaz victory
Published:Sunday | February 24, 2019 | 12:00 AMGareth Davis Sr - Gleaner Writer
Port Antonio, Portland:
Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has declared that East Portland will remain a People’s National Party (PNP) seat as the party prepares to kick-start its campaign after laying deceased Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Lynvale Bloomfield to rest yesterday.
Phillips was speaking with The Sunday Gleaner following the funeral held at the Church of the Open Bible at Folly Road, Port Antonio in Portland. Bloomfield was buried at Prospect Cemetery in the parish.
“It doesn’t matter who is here or who is coming, this is PNP territory and that will remain for a long time to come,” Phillips said.
“Any candidate named by us to replace Dr Bloomfield has an excellent chance of winning and, as I have said before, this is a PNP seat.”
The constituency of East Portland has been a favourite battleground for the PNP, which has seen them winning nine out of 10 elections contested by them, including 1972, 1976, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2011, and 2016. The JLP won in 1980 when Anthony Abrahams defeated Keith Rhodd. Ironically, the PNP did not contest the 1983 general election.
‘Action Ann’
But while Phillips is laying claim to East Portland, Ann-Marie Vaz, wife of sitting MP for West Portland Daryl Vaz, is seeking to derail that trend by becoming not only the first JLP candidate to win since 1980, but the first female MP for the constituency.
“I have heard Peter Phillips said that East Portland is a PNP seat and so they will win it,” noted Vaz.
“My question to Phillips is, what has the PNP done for this constituency for the 30 years of loyalty, 22 as a government? The answer is absolutely nothing. The time for ‘Action Ann’ is now and I am confident of victory.”
In the meantime, Damion Crawford, who appears to be heading to East Portland, has admitted that it is always difficult running against a government which, according to him, acts immorally in the use of funds for elections.
“The Government has committed US$24 million for roadworks in East Portland, which was never done while we had a candidate and a MP,” commented Crawford.
“We can’t predict the outcome of an election running against a government; however, support for the PNP here is still strong and we hope that we will have a candidate that can attract the support that is needed. My stance is always to make people’s lives better and making the lives of children better than their parents’. If you can’t read as a parent, then it therefore means that every effort must be made to send your child to university. The Vaz family has always been friends of mine, but once you enter into a battle, you can win or lose, and those possibilities do exist.”
According to Crawford, if chosen to be the candidate, he will seek to empower the small man and to spread the importance of educating the less fortunate, which will in turn create varied economic, social, and financial opportunities for all.
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck told The Sunday Gleaner that the JLP will now launch its campaign as it seeks to wrest the East Portland seat from the PNP.
“We will begin our campaign, although the PNP has already started,” said Chuck.
“I am confident that Ann-Marie Vaz will win this seat. When the organisation of the JLP goes on the ground, it is invincible.”
“I am not sure what the margin of victory will be like, but rest assured that we will win.”