Jamaica, PNP poorer with passing of Easton Douglas - Phillips

As the tributes flow for former Cabinet minister Easton Douglas, president of the People's National Party (PNP) Dr Peter Phillips says “Jamaica and the People’s National Party are poorer this morning with the passing of a giant in the process of nation-building, a man who was a champion of patriotism and epitomised the true spirit of Jamaican nationhood”.

Douglas died this morning at his St Andrew home after a long battle with cancer.

Phillips said he had a long and distinguished career in both the private sector, where he was a commissioned land surveyor and urban planner and the public service, serving in both the civil service and the political executive.

According to the PNP president, "Comrade Douglas’ service to the party was exemplary and his work as vice president for many years assisted in the building of an election machinery which was invincible in the latter part of the twentieth century."

It was after his civil service career that Douglas became active in the PNP and was elected Member of Parliament for South East St Andrew in1989 and served until he retired from Parliament in 2002.

"In the service of the party and in policy debates, he was always a voice which championed orderly physical development and improvement of the living conditions of the poor Jamaican people, who remain landless. He detested land capturing, “uglification” of communities and gentrification to the exclusion of poor Jamaicans," said Phillips in his tribute to Douglas.

“I extend my deepest sympathy to his family, especially to his daughter Kari who serves as a councillor in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) for the Trafalgar Division in St Andrew South East, once represented by him," he concluded.

PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson said supporters in south east St Andrew which he once represented also paid tribute to the late parliamentarian.