Bull Bull to run in local government polls
WESTERN BUREAU – Former People’s National Party (PNP) member of parliament for North Trelawny, Wendell “Bull Bull” Stewart, who was dumped by the party as its candidate in the October general election, has signalled his intention to run as councillor for the Falmouth division in the impending local government polls.
“The people want me to run, so I will be taking up the offer and I have made my intention known to the party and now I am waiting on them to respond,” Stewart said.
At least four other PNP members are reportedly interested in contesting the Falmouth division, including party activist Norman Wiggan and Lancelot Lindo.
On Wednesday, Stewart told the Observer that if he were successful in winning the seat and the PNP gains control of the Trelawny Parish Council, he would be one of the prime contenders for the head of that local government body.
“It would be only fitting that a man of my stature and local authority experience be given the option to finish what I have started. And the residents of Falmouth are saying this too,” Stewart said.
In addition, the former MP said that if he were made chairman, he would bring accountability, transparency and efficient management to the council, qualities which he claimed are now vastly lacking at the institution.
“This present council is behind in almost everything. It is in the back of tax collection, it is in the back of efficiency of work…. All it does is to blame other people for things not done. It has never been the innovators of anything,” Stewart charged.
Ironically, the party’s hierarchy axed the former MP in January citing reasons ranging from his poor performance, to poll findings which suggested that he could not win the seat.
Dr Patrick Harris, a newcomer to representational politics, replaced him and took home the seat for the PNP.
In the early days after the decision was made to replace him, Stewart defended his record and contended that he was being penalised for his penchant for helping all his constituents, regardless of their political leanings. He also rejected the party’s poll findings, and argued that he was getting a different reading on the ground.
The decision to field Dr Harris as a candidate also irked a number of party supporters in the constituency, with many vowing not to vote for the new candidate.
Shortly after he was fired, Stewart kept a low profile in the constituency and refused to take part in campaign activities. But soon after the date for the general election was announced, he joined the campaign trail, fuelling speculation that a compromise had been brokered.
Then, further fuelling the speculation at a mass meeting in Falmouth days before the polls, party president P J Patterson suggested that Stewart could still play a major role in the party.
“The selection of comrade Harris does not mean that “Bull Bull” is discarded and put out to pasture and will not be allowed to have some meaningful contribution to the development of the party in this constituency,” Patterson told the large crowd then.
If Stewart succeeds in his bid to represent the party in the Falmouth division, he would replace the incumbent mayor of the town, councillor Joseph Wright who is not seeking re-election.