WESTERN BUREAU:
Former Trelawny Southern Member of Parliament (MP) Devon McDaniel has his eyes set on again vying for the seat, which has remained vacant since the resignation of Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert last September.
McDaniel, a furniture business operator from Warsop in Trelawny, was elected on the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) ticket as the MP for the constituency in 2002, serving a single term before handing the baton to Dalrymple-Philibert.
If selected, McDaniel would face off with funeral home director Paul Patmore, who has been confirmed as the People’s National Party (PNP) challenger.
McDaniel, who has been on the ground in the constituency seeking to drum up support, said he has signalled his intention to the JLP hierarchy and is awaiting a response.
“I have made an application to be the representative, but no decision has been made, as far as I am aware,” said McDaniel. “I have been working the constituency all through the local government elections. The people know me and have welcomed me.”
He said that based on the work he has been doing in the constituency, he is quite confident that there is a path to victory for him.
“I have the backing of three of the [JLP] councillors in the constituency, namely [Winston] Smith, [Collen] Gager, and [Desmond] Davis. If they are waiting for three months before elections to name me, then my ship would have left the harbour,” McDaniel added.
Smith, who is the councillor for the Lorrimers division, did not confirm or deny McDonald’s claim when contacted, only saying that he would toe the party line.
“I am a party man and whoever is the candidate selected by the party, I will give [them] my support,” said Smith.
While Davis could not be reached, Gager, the councillor for the Warsop division and mayor of Falmouth, who was viewed by some JLP insiders as a possible replacement for Dalrymple-Philibert, said he has no interest in the post and will support whoever the party selects.
“I am satisfied with being mayor and will offer my support to any candidate selected,” explained Gager.
In responding to reports that Dalrymple-Philibert has reportedly been working behind the scenes to launch a comeback, McDaniel said such a move would spell doom for the party’s chances of retaining the seat.
“She just resigned without saying anything to the constituents. I can tell you, they might not vote against her, but definitely not for her,” he said.
Efforts by The Gleaner to reach Dalrymple-Philibert for comment were unsuccessful.
Exuding confidence, Patmore recently challenged the JLP to place Dalrymple-Philibert on its ticket, saying he was ready to give her a sound thrashing at the polls.