Do not disturb my constituency, Pearnel warns Robert Morgan
Published:Sunday | May 27, 2018 | 12:00 AMRomario Scott/Gleaner Writer
Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon Pearnel Charles has reacted with disgust to news that communications director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Robert Morgan, has formally applied to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to represent the constituency.
In a swift response to Morgan's public declaration last Saturday, Charles lashed out by saying that Morgan should not "disrupt my constituency.
"I am the people's representative at this time and I have not advised any of my delegates I am resigning or retiring. Young Pearnel (Charles Jr) has been working with me for the better part of 11 years. He can apply when I am finished and any other person who is interested," said the 82-year-old political veteran on social media.
A seemingly angry Charles also declared that Morgan was wasting his time.
"My mind and my muscles are better than some of you who are trying to disrupt the party. Don't even have the respect to tell me of your interest. Joining the PNP (People's National Party) with propaganda against me and my party," added Charles, who is also the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SOCIAL MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
But Morgan has insisted that he has no intention of disrupting the constituency and that he was playing by the rules.
Morgan made the long-expected announcement on the social media site Facebook, saying that it had always been a dream of his to represent the constituency where he was born and raised.
"For those wondering, I have applied to the JLP to be the representative for North Central Clarendon as soon as there is a vacancy, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Jamaica Labour Party. It has been a lifelong dream to represent my community. Nothing will deter me from that dream," said Morgan, who was born in the community of Wood Hall in the constituency.
His post confirmed a Gleaner report published in March, which indicated that a showdown was looming between Morgan and Pearnel Charles Jr about who to replace the senior Charles when he passes on the baton.
Sources in the constituency told The Gleaner yesterday that the campaign between the two is on in earnest, and JLP delegates have been meeting with both men as they organise their campaigns.