Meadows of regret

The last six months have been mentally agonising for Dennis Meadows as he grapples with the disappointment of being removed as the People’s National Party (PNP) standard-bearer in Trelawny Northern.

“I still go through a myriad of emotions even to this day and sometimes I have to snap myself out of depression. It has not been easy. As we speak, I have not yet come to terms with it. Sometimes I don’t even want to approach the next day,” he told The Sunday Gleaner in a recent interview.

The former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) senator-turned-Comrade came under heavy backlash in February after a video began circulating with him endorsing lottery scamming at a campaign event. Meadows was subsequently removed as the party’s prospective candidate in the next general election, which is due by September 2025.

Although Meadows remains chairman of the constituency, former Tourism Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill has since replaced him as the PNP’s man in Trelawny Northern.

Having unsuccessfully contested the seat in three general elections on the JLP’s ticket, Meadows said he was looking forward to finally winning the hearts and support of the people of Trelawny Northern and get a nod for the Lower House.

“This would have been my fourth run in North Trelawny. I ran three times for the JLP and during the last election in 2016, I barely lost it by [449] votes ... . At the time, I did not receive any help from the JLP because [the party] was going through turmoil. I didn’t support Andrew Holness [in a JLP leadership race], so when my time came to run, I received absolutely no help – financial or otherwise,” Meadows explained.

However, he told The Sunday Gleaner that through his utterances, his dream and aspiration of becoming MP was deferred.

Despite this roadblock in his political journey, Meadows is still looking forward to representing the people of Trelawny Northern someday.

“One error or political faux pas does not, in my view, cancel anybody. I believe that there is always hope for redemption and the people of Northern Trelawny know me. They know what I stand for and, therefore, they have assured me of their forgiveness, so I’m satisfied, and I look forward down the road to representing them one day,” said Meadows.

At the same time, the former senator told The Sunday Gleaner that while he understands the party’s decision and fully supports the new candidate, he still struggles with feelings of regret. Meadows shared that he had invested resources and effort into building his PNP political campaign after joining the party in 2022, months after his resignation from the JLP.

“It is not easy to see one’s passion and dream being deferred after a lot of emotional investment, financial investment, time away from family and the sacrifices you make when you seek to represent people. I don’t think people appreciate the kind of sacrifices one makes,” he said.

“To have that pulled from under my feet, particularly by my actions, continues to haunt me. I do have a conscience, and I can be very hard on myself. I hold myself accountable. I am doing it for the greater good of the party in terms of supporting my successor, but it is not easy,” he said.

As he reminisced on the action that brought him public scrutiny and outcries, Meadows admitted that he was irresponsible in utilising his platform for the endorsement of illicit gains. He further apologised to the people of Trelawny Northern for the disappointment.

“My actions were stupid and regrettable. I’m known and those who know me, expect much of me because I have accrued tremendous and enviable goodwill, support, and respect within the parish of Trelawny, more North Trelawny. It was just a stupid utterance and up to this day, I still wonder how it came out of my mouth,” said Meadows.

Furthermore, Meadows told The Sunday Gleaner that he expected more psychological support from the PNP as he battled with feelings of regret and disappointment over the last six months. He suggested that a chaplaincy department be set up to assist candidates who are removed.

“I intend to speak to the party on that because in situations like these, the party tends to have a ‘next’ attitude and it is business as usual when for one reason or another, a candidate has to be pulled, whether by his actions or otherwise.”

Asked if he would consider a return to the Senate if asked to serve, Meadows said that he is “ready to serve anywhere” the party requests.

Meanwhile, he shared that he is playing his part by energising the constituency as they await the next general election. He is also confident that his successor will return the Trelawny Northern constituency to the PNP.

He is also focusing on rebuilding his relationship with Jamaicans.

“I am prepared to do what I need to do to win the trust and forgiveness of the Jamaican people, but more North Trelawny. They were also disappointed and demoralised by my withdrawal because the seat was energised and the path to victory was almost inevitable. To have all of that removed and snatched from your grasp is not easy.

“What I’m happy for at this moment is the support of my family and good friends who have my back. That has probably kept my mental health somewhat stable. I have a very supportive wife and family. They chastise me when I need it, but they always have my back,” said Meadows.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com