Sidelined Purcell feels wronged by PNP, anticipating sixth term
Published:Friday | February 9, 2024 | 12:11 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
Former York Town division Councillor in Clarendon, Uphel Purcell, is expressing confidence that he will be re-elected for a sixth term despite running as an independent candidate this time around after being discarded by the People’s National Party (PNP).
Dressed in orange, the colour aligned to the PNP, Purcell made a striking appearance at the Zada Webley Hall in Four Paths on Thursday as he turned up to be nominated as an independent candidate.
Speaking on his choice of colour, he quipped, “I will always be PNP!”
“I am running as an independent but still a strong supporter of the People’s National Party. I am a PNP and will continue being a PNP. That is the reason I have not gone to the other party, but what happened to me was not fair, [or] honest, and the member of parliament, Mr Lothan Cousins, and others who stood up against me, should not have done that because I have done nothing wrong,” said Purcell.
He declined to expound on the alleged unjust and unfair incidents.
Cousins also did not want to comment on the matter.
Purcell’s public standing and reputation took a hit last March when a leaked video capturing him in a compromising position was widely circulated.
Despite reports from the PNP’s Clarendon South Western constituency committee stating that he had verbally resigned at three different meetings, Purcell asserted that he had not submitted a resignation letter and maintained that he still held his position.
The PNP, however, placed a new representative, Pastor Anthony Davis, on its ticket.
On Thursday, Purcell said he remained undaunted and emphasised that he carried the unwavering support of the people across the division.
He also pushed back against comments suggesting that he was dividing the PNP’s votes in the division. He asserted that his candidacy was not aimed at causing division, but rather represented a choice for voters who are drawn to his with his vision and leadership.
“It’s an avenue you have to use because the people respect you and want you to continue representing them, so I offered myself because of the kind of support that is out there for me,” he said.
He charged that even some members of parliament had not achieved what he had managed to do in his division as councillor since he took the reins in 1998, stating that he had spearheaded many educational, social, and infrastructural developments.
In the last local government elections, Purcell managed to poll 60 per cent of the votes (1,107) to defeat the JLP’s Gavaska Plummer, who got 720 votes. Newcomer Omar Henry is representing the JLP in the York Town division.
Asked how he viewed his challengers, Purcell stated that his rivals were unfit and unsuitable for the position, describing Davis as unsociable.
Purcell expressed certainty that he would be returned as the councillor on February 26.