Ferguson: Losing seat one of the best things that happened to me
Veteran working to resolve conflicts in PNP, resumes dental practice
Published:Tuesday | September 20, 2022 | 12:08 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Staff Reporter
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Dr Fenton Ferguson, the former People’s National Party (PNP) ‘Six-Star General’, whose half-dozen consecutive general-election winning streak in St Thomas Eastern was halted in 2020, has resigned as chairman and caretaker of the constituency. He...
Dr Fenton Ferguson, the former People’s National Party (PNP) ‘Six-Star General’, whose half-dozen consecutive general-election winning streak in St Thomas Eastern was halted in 2020, has resigned as chairman and caretaker of the constituency.
He made the disclosure to The Gleaner while attending the 84th annual conference of the PNP at the National Arena in Kingston on Sunday.
“I have no intention of continuing in any kind of representational politics, but I will continue to serve in any capacity that the leadership believes that I can be of value,” he said.
Despite the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Dr Michelle Charles winning the seat in the last general election, Ferguson believes that the PNP will regain the seat in the next polls.
He suggested that his defeat at the polls was a blessing in disguise.
“I believe that in the two years that I have been out of active politics, sometimes when things happen, you probably feel like you ‘bex’ with God, but I can say two years later, it’s one of the best things that happened to me,” Ferguson said.
While remaining “low-key” since his defeat, Ferguson said he has remained a committed member of the party.
The experienced politician told The Gleaner that he was appointed chairman of the PNP’s Internal Affairs Commission, which deals with conflicts within the party.
“Although you have not seen me, I have been quietly working with my team to resolve many of the issues that have come and we have been proactive in defusing some,” he divulged.
Ferguson added that he is looking forward to serving in a statesmanlike role in the party.
He said that as a member of parliament, he stayed above the fray.
“I am generally the type of person who gets along not just with my PNP Comrades, but with members of the Government. I have had a good relationship both with PNP and JLP,” he said.
He argued that the kind of leadership that Jamaica requires is one that sees politics as a developmental tool and uses education and training as major pillars to build the country. He said it is critical that the country returns to its core values.
Ferguson, who has gone back to his practice as a dental surgeon, is now involved in real estate development in St Thomas.
He also tied the knot just over a month ago.
“I believe that the name Fenton Ferguson must go down as a Jamaican who came and served and left with his integrity intact,” he said.