Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Former West St Thomas Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton says the constituency has regressed under the leadership of James Robertson.

Hylton, who won the seat back-to-back in 1993 and 1997, said West St Thomas voters will be staging a silent protest on Election Day.

"The people are going to go out and have a silent protest. Our people have been in bondage for too long," Hylton told The Gleaner.

Hundreds of people have made their way to Yallahs for mass meeting which started more than one hour after the scheduled start Sunday evening.

The PNP's Marsha Francis is seeking to become only the fourth PNP member to win the seat after Ken Clarke (1955), Selvin Dewar (1976) and Hylton.

"I know St Thomas is going to get a new deal," Hylton told The Gleaner.

Hylton lost to Robertson in 2002.

"St Thomas is too far behind," he said.

He said that the proposed southern coastal highway will help to lift St Thomas and that it will also help to boost commerce.

Hylton said too that there is "tremendous potential in logistics" for the parish adding that there is interest from investors in developing a deep port in Cow Bay.

Hubert Williams, the councillor for the White Horses division also had a warning for the JLP's standard bearer for St Thomas western.

"The ball head man's days are numbered," he said.

Edwin Marr, the councillor for Llandewey Division also declared that Francis cannot lose the seat.