Has PNP received financing from gay community?

Vaz says JLP confident of securing 34-38 seats in Dec 29 poll

Sunday, December 25, 2011

DARYL Vaz is challenging the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) to state whether it has received funding from the international gay community, and what, if any, commitments were given in exchange for that funding.

Vaz, the treasurer for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), said it was obvious that both parties had managed to get funding for their election campaigns based on their activities.

But suggesting that PNP president Portia Simpson Miller had injected a new dimension — homosexuality — into the campaign, Vaz said his team was trying to ascertain whether there was any truth to claims that the PNP had received money from the international gay community.

"We would like to know if this is true; and more importantly, what commitments the PNP has made in exchange for that funding, because we know that is how it works" he said.

Simpson Miller, answering a question in last Tuesday's political debate with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, said a PNP Government would review the buggery law and allow members of parliament to vote their conscience on the matter.

"We are not happy about the opposition leader introducing the issue of homosexuality into the campaign and we are wondering how deep it goes and how much involved the international gay community is with the PNP. We have been hearing of the interest that that community has taken in our elections since her pronouncement," said Vaz. "It is the first time that we have seen such strong interest from the gay community in any Jamaican election," he added, reiterating that his West Portland constituents had already made it clear that "God had made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve".

Meantime, Vaz conceded that the election appears to be a close race, but said he was now "extremely confident" that the JLP would win between 34 and 38 seats, based on all the indicators and a conservative analysis of the constituencies that were regarded as battleground seats.

He said the public opinion polls were very confusing because they were giving contradictory results. However, they were showing that the undecided voters were in favour of the JLP, raising the strong possibility that the party could get more than 38 seats.

"Both parties have energised their base, resulting in a close contest. So it is the undecided who will decide the outcome of this election," said Vaz. "They are in favour of the JLP because they have faith in our new, young leader. He will get the votes of the young as well, based on the successes of the Government in stabilising the country and setting it on a path to growth."

Vaz said that a clear indication of the tight race was the fact that PNP campaign director, Dr Peter Phillips, was leading a motorcade on Christmas Eve through East Portland, long regarded as a safe PNP seat, and despite the fact that the party leader and former leader, PJ Patterson had been there the week before.

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COMMENTS (39)

12/26/2011

@maroon C: I wonder if you worry so much when a child is murdered or an elderly person? When a woman is rapped, does it make you sick? I believe that men and women should be together but I am not going to force anyone to live the way they choose. Just don't force it on anyone. By the way, would you prefer to see a Jamaica where people can make their choice as to their lifestyle or one where we continue to rape and murder?

maroon C.
12/26/2011

Go ahead all those who want to be disgust, loose faith, or even turn off by the truth, u were disgust, turn-off and your faith has been gone long time. y are u ppl not hitting out on the journalist who seek to brought this nastiness into Jamaican politics by asking about Gay rights? this is not USA, this is Jamaica and we do not believe that our ppl has the Right to do Wrongs. Jamaicans were brought up to know the difference between right and wrong and not to accept wrongs, We still love God.

Weslie Daley
12/26/2011

Oh my Lord!! Where is Busta Party? Where has its honor gone? I am amazed that Mr. Vaz and the JLP would be reaching down so low into the trench and gutter and pit to get vote. Please Mr. Vaz; you are an honorable man who just wants to serve your country, and that is good!! Your Prime Minister is "new and different". Let us put aside gutter politics! Speak the truth and be free!! Take the high ground. You may loose the election but you will be respected. Keep your honor at all cost, pleaseeee!!

12/26/2011

Mr Vaz is THE example of what's wrong in the JLP. I fully endorse Andrew Holness to be PM without any qualms as he and I have had discussions on a number of issues, especially as it relates to education, and we are very much in agreement on how the country should move forward in this aspect. I am probably seen by Vaz as being a part of the international gay community supporting the PNP, simply because I agree with PSM on the gay issue. Andrew, get rid of Daryl and the JLP will be much stronger

12/25/2011

Mr. Vaz just needs to get a life. First of all Mrs. Simpson-Miller did not know that this question would be asked. She also never said she was going to change any law "but review it". You talk too much and it looks as if you are trying to incite the Jamaican people to catch gays and kill them. I believe in Adam and Eve but I also believe in agency. Take away people's powers to choose and next you will take away freedom of religion.

Elli Deedo
12/25/2011

And to square it off VAZ, consider that your Dan manship party is on the way out of office. You would have been better staying in America. All the criminal plans your JLP party is planning to appy in the up coming election will be defeated. We've had enough of your Criminal organization called JLP. Your inquiries will not help your plans. Most of your political antagonists have been killed by the Police, some are in prison out there and the Main one have been extradited to Prison in America.

jenn longmore
12/25/2011

JLP, Holness, Vaz, Mullings ..out of touch, outdated and wrong in every respect. Portia Simpson -Miller was Jamaica's first female PM and the PNP needs no more womens boonoonoono agenda because they have no issue with gender politics. A women leads their party, twice now ! .You get it Mr Holness ? Vaz et al ? Mr Holness showed his true colors during the debate and now the JLP conitnues to push a gay no -issue soley intent on dividing and destroying Jamaica. Goodbye JLP, and Good riddance!

0o k
12/25/2011

I think bruk Vaz should have left this thing alone. It is clear Comrade Portia went off message and it can come to no good the JLP Leadership giving it more oficial-air than necessary. Let Party supporters and the public supply the heavy stuff. Drew already said what was to be said during the debate.

carl salmon
12/25/2011

so like how portia planning to revised the buggery laws and persons talking about the rights of mankind's so why dont the JLP create a ads if pnp can support & accept homo...... then u can accept men with more than one wives together....... women with than one husbands together...... young teens who want affair with adults they parent age.....teen prostitutions...... person who have relationships with they pet or farm animals...... person who take drugs & substances........ person who's religion or whatever do sacrifices of anything included young child...... persons who work science,work voodoos,work witchcrafts, work obeah....... fathers and mothers that are having affair with children or stepchildren & childrens...... stepchildren having affair with they parents.....the family that are having affair with each other...... and I can continue list of people who have they rights and the law of countries where homo is legal don't allow these things so the pnp must widen they mind to these things and others....so why stop the rights of some (rights of mankind)and allow some ...so why don't u allow all persons they rights ( right of mankind)

12/25/2011

Mr Vaz, you are as bad as politics gets. I think that the first time gay was mention during these election was when the question was ask in the debates. Since then it has been your party that has seek to gain from it. I don't gays at not time but i think people should stop enriching themselves at expense. The DJs have done it for years and now you are doing the same. There is no way that such behave will be legal in Jamaica.
It is full time that both party talk issue. Because I am not yet Convin

paul campbell
12/25/2011

Daryl is a man who speaks the truth even when it is not popular
boom boom
fire and brimstone goin to come down and burn all those practicing buggery

kirk James
12/25/2011

Yes Mr Vaz good question , i believe they have gotten money because every person in Jamaica knows even those who practice that life style that Jamaica will never ever give them any form of rights.

anton chambers
12/25/2011

Bravo Daryl portia will lead us into the degredation of jamaican society are we going down this road to where we will be teaching 6 year olds that it is ok an acceptable choice.
portia stop selling your soul to get votes moral integrity is all one has at the end of the day

Louise Henry
12/25/2011

In my experience those who make the most noise about homosexuality often have something to hide...

Maude Cooper
12/25/2011

Will this Vaz man let the his hate go free? If I ask for my small donation back from the JLP will they give it so that I can forward it to the PNP?

Shakin Mi Head
12/25/2011

SMH .......
MOST monetary contributions HAVE strings attached. If anyone thinks that the Gay Community is just giving money for free he/she is naive. The Gay Community has an agenda, and any God fearing society or entity would not compromise their integrity (MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL KIND OF EVIL).
This is just to show how much we are living in the Devil's world. Now we are going to accept this type of ungodly and unnatural behavior. Simpson-Miller should be ashamed of herself.

kerone edwards
12/25/2011

All Mr.Vaz do is run off his mouth while West Portland people or suffering cause there once income of Coffe Farming is close down and he his pushing for Patrick to Win in East Portland but pitty he dont know that while him say he his going to win East Portland for Patrick West ago vote him out......Vaz your mouth especially ago cause JLP fi lose watch and see

STEPHANIE W
12/25/2011

I find it absolutely entertaining when I read articles that have statements about "the influence of the gay community" or "the gay community is trying to ....". It makes it sound like there is some secret powerful gay society behind the curtain like the Wizard of Oz controlling things. If people cared to look into it they'd know the majority of people that fight for gay rights are straight people. If people were compassionate they'd know more about the cause and could speak more intelligently

Michelle Anderson
12/25/2011

"We would like to know if this is true; and more importantly, what commitments the PNP has made in exchange for that funding, because we know that is how it works" he said.
The comment above from Mr. Vaz is most revealing, isn't it? Just read it again slowly fellow bloggers and think about contracts, tax waivers, etc. - could these be related to campaign donations to the JLP (Mr Vaz,afterall, is a high ranking member ofthat party!).
PSM only responded to a question about homosexuality.

Waynette George
12/25/2011

Portia's promise on the buggery law needs to be examined carefully, even if you are a supporter. Because, now that she has spoken, if she wins then the next morning homosexuals will pressure her to keep her promise? Can she withstand the extreme pressure from them and their many international groups? Will Jamaica have to give in to the homosexual campaign because of what Portia promised? They will claim that she made a promise? Are we ready?

Ynot Meid
12/25/2011

This whole politics have become so dirty. It goes to show the level we will stoop to get peoples attention and votes. How and why has someone sexuality becomes the main issue of a campaign. What happens to the others issues of roads, jobs, national debts etc.? We need to let this issue go, cause whether we like it or not, gays, straights, murders and all will be around until this current world is no more. So please let focus our financial issues as country.

Lou Jamerican
12/25/2011

Reflection! 1980. JLP said deliverance is near. We got the wrong end of the stick but Seaga got Carinosa and more, then he got Amnesia forgetting $30Mil GCT and Millions owed to Century Bank. Bruce! Makes me sick! After he sunk Jamaica in deep crap, he also got Amnesia. He could not recall anything in the Dudus/Manatt enquiry, yet this was his final demise. Then comes Holness! Endorsed by Seaga! What a la la! Remember! Birds of a feather? Several F`s together. Jamaica! Wake up! Listen up! We cannot go down that road again. Vote PNP on Thursday.

Mark Brown
12/25/2011

Its just like going to a street dance and a young DJ needs to draw on the B-Man topic to get a forward from the crowd, instead of relying on his talent. I HATE THAT!!!!!!!!!!. This has now made the JLP seem Backward and out of date in my book and I have now lost faith.

justice justice
12/25/2011

This Gay issue is no issue . Me cant get straighter & I support what Portia said & now she appear more decisive than Holness. The issue is who control Jam. WHO PAID Manatt? There are some people behind the scene who control the JLP which is the Government. These people behind the scene need to be exposed and remove. Change of JLP leader, young or old, is no change bcas the people behind the scene is still in control. I will vote PNP for the first time bcas Jamaica need to be taken back.

straight eight
12/25/2011

I dont like this kinda politics, Portia said what she said now let the people decide, The people of Jamaica will never support any changes to the laws of God.

Peter Smith
12/25/2011

Was it Mrs. Simpson-Miller who introduced this into the campaign, or did it come about in the public/political arena by virtue of a question posed to her by Mrs. Jackson-Miller during the live political debate?

Paul Gentles
12/25/2011

Is there an Editorial directive that this paper should focus on the buggery topic? How does this affect the corruption,murder and mayhem that has overtaken Ja? Sad almost an entire paper has degenerated into a part of the problem ( promoting tribal living and a dysfunctional society in the name of politics) instead of promoting how to improve Ja.

wayne Jones
12/25/2011

Oh boy what ignorance and hatred for fellow human beings. Why are you people so afraid of homosexuals? Do you some of you have any capacity to be ashamed of how you sound like backwards ignoramouses.
If anyone want to know what kind of country Jamaica is and read blogs like these the impression they would get is; backwards, intolerant, hate, killers. Be careful about the impression you present to the world.

Fitzroy Whilby
12/25/2011

I am beginning to lose some respect for the JLP now. Why after we thought there was a new direction in politics in Jamaica we are still seeing dirty politics at work? So what if the PNP received funding from gay rights organization? Mr. Vaz please remember that the JLP cannot win an election with heterosexual votes only.. You are rapidly alienating a significant portion of the electorate and this might very well be to your demise on December 29th.

pete delisser
12/25/2011

It is now obvious, the JLP & Mr Vaz are now in panic mode. They are going overboard with this gay issue, not realising that most well thinking Jamaicans are really not obsessed with this. Most prefer a sense of human rights for all, preferring to care more about matters such as health care, education, housing, employment, the economy..and things that affect them directly. Im impressed with the PNP campaign so far, and wish for them a landslide victory, a vote against hate & immaturity!!

joie cote
12/25/2011

Mr. Vaz, credibility is like virginity, once its gone, its gone.
Merry Christmas and Healthy and Happy New Year to all Jamaicans.

Eric Junior
12/25/2011

Is that what you can come with now Mr Vaz? Mrs Simpson Miller dint not "introduce" the gay debate in the campaign. She simply responded more intelligently to a question posed by a journalist to both the Prime Minister and herself. The response did nothing but to clearly demonstrate the main difference between the JLP and PNP as far as Human Rights is concerned.

Dwayne Willis
12/25/2011

Vaz says 'we know hot it works'...could you please tell us what the JLP promised those people who it got funding for?

Mike Williams
12/25/2011

I was expecting this comment long ago Mr.Vaz your statement is bordering on inciting what would terms a riotous act. Dont believe your statement will garner any traction. The opp leader mention she cant repeal act on her own, how is it you now questioning about funding. Where you get your funding from can you declare and tell also at the same time the PNP reveal its source of funding, I bet you not. It amaze me when you mention people must lift the standard of the campaign and u say this.

Linval Campbell
12/25/2011

Mr Vaz is one of these days going to get himself in some serious trouble because of his mouth. This is exactly why he could never be general Secretary of the JLP.I am sure Mr Vaz did not hear anything about funding from Gay Rights group,he is just trying to start something and hope to gain advantage of a country that is anti-gay. While he is asking questions,why nor declare where his party funding is coming from?

12/25/2011

I think the JLP is taking this "homo" thing a bit too far, and it definately will not help their cause, sure it is going to hurt them more than help them. They take everything out of context, and they twist and they turn and they will find themselves out of office soon...mark my words...The Almighty knows how to deal with gays and all others who have done wrong in his sight, politicians included.

Elli Deedo
12/25/2011

Dear Daryl Vaz; if you read this comment; please to understand that if Mrs Miller have received funding from the Gay community this will not give her the powers to Legalize Sadomy in our Country, the old days of dictator politics dosen't work anymore. Meaning, what all of you sit in parliament and have decided to dish out on us will not work anymore, it will be blood and fire, you will be doing only what we the voters say. Sorry you were not aware of this. This is new Mr Vaz. No Dictatorship?)

Hugh Maxwell
12/25/2011

Well, personally, at this time, I would not want to endorse a ' one term' for any political party and JLP at this time. In all fairness, two terms seem more prudent. So JLP , good luck.But thinking back on the fact JLP with so much money in the last election, barely win and now VAZ talking about a majority win of just over 4 seats, make me wonder if technically speaking the country is more inclined to vote for P.N.P govt. Merry xmas. Cool

Mihelle Brown
12/25/2011

Mr. Vaz, please tell Jamaica what is different about the NEW and YOUNG HOLNESS? He is same ole, only youthful in age, but no better barrel no better herring. This is the only tactics JLP is using to run this election. You must stop talk about age and deal with INTEGRITY,. This is an insult, after JLP have people almost 90 yrs old running for seat. Why you did not choose people under 50 years. and then gradually decrease as time goes by. Who you all think you can fool. 4 days to go.

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Has PNP received financing from gay community?