Isat Buchanan ready to rescue Portland from 'Vazism'
Published:Monday | November 11, 2024 | 9:09 AM
People's National Party (PNP) caretaker for Portland Eastern, Isat Buchanan, has vowed to "rescue Portland from Vazism", promising to uplift residents through education and increased earnings from tourism.
Buchanan was officially presented to a large crowd of PNP supporters in Port Antonio on Sunday as the party's standard bearer for the Portland Eastern constituency.
Taking a swipe at Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern, Ann-Marie Vaz, and her husband Daryl Vaz, who is MP for Portland Western, Buchanan characterised their politics as "Vazism".
"Vazism means the disenfranchisement of Portland people...Vazism is only allowing their friends and their people to benefit from the riches of Portland. Vazism is where only the connected few is going to benefit from Jamaica," he asserted.
"My friend in the west bruk one Vaz already. I going tell you this, in the next election wi a bruk and shatter everything," Buchanan added.
Elaborating on the importance of lifting up people through education, Buchanan declared that education was the main factor which allowed him to rise above his criminal convictions.
“When you look at me, you will see that redemption is possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, PNP President Mark Golding said every individual should be afforded redemption, which, according to him, is heavily promoted by Christians, especially Jesus Christ.
Golding was also quick to point out that Buchanan has risen above his mistakes and is now making his contribution to the Jamaican society in a positive way, firstly as an attorney, and now as a political figure in East Portland.
Buchanan, who was convicted on cocaine charges as a teenager, has since become a defence attorney, taking the high profile murder case involving Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer to the United Kingdom-based Privy council, which later resulted in his release from prison.
"He who is without sin cast the first stone," Golding said.
- Gareth Davis
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