Dalrymple Philibert happy to return as MP for Trelawny Southern
Published:Saturday | November 23, 2024 | 12:06 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Marisa Dalrymple Philibert has been re-elected as the member of parliament (MP) for Trelawny Southern following a decisive victory in yesterday’s parliamentary by-election.
Dalrymple Philibert, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, running on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ticket, defeated independent candidate Lloyd Gillings.
The preliminary count, following the close of polls yesterday, showed a significant margin in her favour.
After all 96 boxes were counted at the Trelawny Southern Electoral Office, Dalrymple Philibert polled 4,146 votes and Gillings 1,434, making the margin of victory for Dalrymple Philibert 2,712. Voter turnout was 22.2 per cent.
The opposition People’s National Party (PNP) did not contest the Trelawny Southern by-election.
“I am heartened by the fact that so many people took the time out to cast the ballot, and to make their preferences known,” an elated Dalrymple Philibert told The Gleaner last night.
Yesterday’s victory at the polls ushered in the fifth consecutive parliamentary term for the JLP and Dalrymple Philibert at the helm of this constituency.
“This is the first time in history that the Southern Trelawny people has been exposed to a by-election and the concept has not resonated with them,” Dalrymple Philibert said pointing to the low voter turnout.
“Several people say they didn’t know it was an election for them…so when all these factors are taken into account, there is much to be thankful for,” she added.
Dalrymple Philibert resigned as MP and House Speaker on September 21 last year, amid a damning report from the Integrity Commission, which recommended that she face eight criminal charges for making a false statement in her statutory declarations after omitting a Mercedes-Benz motor vehicle from her filings between 2015 and 2021. The controversial use of a 20 per cent duty concession to acquire it was also in contention.
‘I DID GREAT’
Gillings said he was not all together disappointed in the results because he created history in the constituency in the same way the electors were called to the polls for a by-election for the first time since the seat was created in 1944.
“I did great, and I am a son of the soil and I will remain with the people,” Gillings said when quizzed about to his political future.
Gillings is facing his second political defeat at the hands of Dalrymple Philibert in as many parliamentary elections, having first lost his bid under the rising sun of the PNP in the September 3, 2020 general election.
Dr Horace Chang, JLP general secretary, said the party’s organisation structure stood firm and delivered the important result to send Dalrymple Philibert back to Parliament.
“The labour party…stood up and represented well and the workers are quite enthusiastic,” Chang told The Gleaner last night.
Chang noted that the party has some work to do before the next general election which is constitutional due by September next year.