WESTERN BUREAU – Vice-president of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) Portia Simpson Miller told supporters in Montego Bay Saturday that she was not prepared for a second defeat in St James in the upcoming local government elections.

In last October general elections the Jamaican Labour Party took three of the four constituencies in St James, and the party is apparently still smarting from that defeat.

“There is no time for dissension and disunity. It is either we are going to unite and work together for the victory or we will sink together and I have no intention of climbing on to a sinking ship. I am here to tell you that something great is going to happen because the People’s National Party is going to claim what rightfully belongs to them,” the minister said.

She was speaking at the presentation of 15 of the party’s candidates for the parish at the Chatwick Gardens Conference Centre in Montego Bay.

According to Simpson Miller, who is also the local government minister, western Jamaica has benefited from the achievements of the PNP under Prime Minister P J Patterson’s leadership, and party workers/supporters needed to ensure PNP candidates are victorious in the upcoming local government elections to see to the continuation of improvements in the parish.

“We have plenty of work to do. St James, unity is strength… I ask you to give me these councillors so that we can push certain projects forward… that we will have efficient councillors to administer the affairs of the council and the community. It doesn’t make any sense you select them and then you leave them on their own,” she said.

Added Simpson Miller: “Every day I say thanks to the people of my constituency because without them I don’t know what I would do. They are the wind beneath my wings. You must be the wind beneath their wings. I just want to say to you walk with them, give them the support and when you get them there they will have to respond to you in a positive way.”

Vin Lawrence, who is leading the PNP’s campaign in St James, later echoed the minister’s sentiments. The key to victory, he said, was organisation.

“Comrades I want to tell you plain and straight, we are not satisfied that last October our comrades understood the commitment and hard work it required. We need to deal with the hard work on this occasion,” he said.

“We need to get our canvasses done and we need to organise ourselves for election day. Comrades, I assure you that if we do that work we will on election night, be celebrating the orange city of Montego Bay,” he added.

To the 15 confirmed candidates, Lawrence said it was critical that they indicate to voters the “common sense” of having a PNP councillor operating in their divisions under a ruling PNP government.

“I want to point out to candidates that it is very important to cover your ground on your opponent… You must tell the achievement, both local and national, and you must point out the common sense of supporting a PNP local government candidate serving under a PNP government, ” he said.

“. we need to encourage all the people out there not to waste their votes but to make sure they vote for the PNP candidate under a PNP government,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lawrence said the PNP would work to improve the quality of local government while the JLP would not.

“The PNP is the party that continues to believe in democracy and governance at all levels. It is the People’s National Party that has put back some strength in local government that was destroyed by Mr Edward Seaga and the Jamaica Labour Party so we are not to make them fool the people on this occasion,” he said. “Just look back carefully at what happened to local government under them and you will see what’s happening.”

Continued Lawrence: “We believe as a party that communities can effectively run their affairs and that quality representation will lead to a higher level of service. That is why we are ensuring that you here in St James have a team of bright and capable men and women to contest these elections… It will ensure that local government reform moves to a higher level of performance and accountability.

“Comrades, my message to you is we need to take local government to a higher level and we are relying on you as the workers to get the work done.”