Daren Powell to represent PNP in Malvern Division

Garfield Myers

Friday, February 10, 2012

SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — He is new to representatiional politics, but Daren Powell believes his seven years as a West Indies cricketer has given him "a solid base" as he prepares to run on the ruling People's National Party (PNP) ticket in upcoming local government elections.

"I believe my years in West Indies cricket have helped me, as a person, to better understand and deal with people, to communicate and to handle pressure," the 33-year-old native of Stanmore in Malvern, South East St Elizabeth, told the Observer yesterday.

Powell was selected late Wednesday as the PNP's standard bearer in the Malvern Division for the local government (parish council) elections which are due by the end of March.

He replaces former caretaker Barbara Gayle. Another applicant, salesman and farmer Kingsley Palmer, withdrew from the internal party contest earlier this week.

Powell, who was only recently elected president of the St Elizabeth Cricket Association, will be up against incumbent councillor for Malvern, Donald Simpson, of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) come the parish council elections.

The St Elizabeth Parish Council is currently controlled by the JLP 8-7, and Malvern is seen by the PNP as a key division if the party is to wrest control.

Chairman of the PNP's Region Five Senator Wensworth Skeffery told the Observer yesterday that Powell was unanimously chosen by the party's selection panel.

"Now we must all go forward with one accord in support of Comrade Daren Powell and make sure we take home the Malvern Division for the PNP," Skeffery said.

Powell said he decided to enter politics following encouragement from his friends and from ordinary folk in the Malvern community, as well as because of his own inclination to assist community development.

"In recent years I have done a lot of work in the community, helping with road repairs, helping with schools, and of course assisting young people in cricket and other sports and I have found it very fulfilling," he said.

Powell made his Test match debut for the West Indies in 2002 after impressive performances for Jamaica.

His international career ended in 2009 after 37 Tests with 85 wickets at 47.85 each. He also played 55 One-Day Internationals and five Twenty/20 games for the West Indies.

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Daren Powell to represent PNP in Malvern Division