LUCEA, Hanover – Ian Hayles, a former vice-president of the Jamaica Labour Party affiliate group, Generation 2000, who resigned from the party just over a year ago, is seeking to represent the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) in the constituency of Western Hanover.

Hayles is among three people vying to replace sitting PNP member of parliament for the area, Ralston Hanson.

“Yes, I have applied for the job to represent the PNP in Western Hanover and I am looking forward to serve the people there,” Hayles confirmed in a telephone interview with the Observer yesterday.

The other two contenders are businessman Paul Trench, and Joseph Smith, a former employee in the hospitality industry.

The former G2K vice-president expressed an interest in representational politics two years ago when he sought to be the JLP’s representative in the constituency of North Trelawny. But he later withdrew from the race, citing personal and business reasons.

Hanson successfully contested the 2002 general elections in Western Hanover, beating the JLP’s Travis Spence. But in recent months Hanson has been severely criticised by his constituents, who complain about the lack of proper representation in the area. Despite the harsh criticisms, however, the MP has told the party that he intends to remain as its candidate in the next general elections, constitutionally due in 2007.

Yesterday, chairman of the Regional Panel Selection Committee for the party’s Region Six, Senator Noel Monteith, confirmed that the three aspirants as well as Hanson had applied for the job.

Monteith added that his committee had already interviewed all the contenders vying for the job. The committee, Monteith said, would submit its findings to the party’s general secretary on the weekend.

“When the general secretary receives our recommendations, the party will then decide if the aspirants should be allowed to go to the people and later face a selection,” Monteith explained.

The constituency of Western Hanover includes the parish’s capital, Lucea, parts of the tourist resort of Negril and a number of deep rural communities such as Dias, March Town, Kendall and Logwood.

Residents have often complained about the poor road infrastructure and a general lack of basic amenities in the constituency.

It is against this background, Hayles said, that he is desirous of representing the constituency.

“The people want good representation and I am willing to offer them just that, because I really like to do things that benefit people,” said Hayles, who a month ago gained membership in the PNP.

When he resigned from the Opposition JLP last January, Hayles who had been a member of the party’s standing committee for more than two years, said that he was tired of the constant bickering and infighting in the JLP. At the time, he said he had not ruled out the possibility of seeking membership in the PNP.

And yesterday, Hayles said the PNP now provides the best opportunity for him to fulfil his political ambitions under the leadership of newly appointed prime minister Portia Simpson Miller.

“Portia Simpson Miller is the only leader now that can lead the country in the 21st century, and I am willing to serve under her,” Hayles said.

The former G2K vice-president told the Observer that he had been working in the area over the past few weeks, and had received the support of the business community and PNP supporters.

For his part, Trench, who unsuccessfully contested the Riverside Division in the 2003 local government polls said that he decided to enter the race out of a genuine desire to give the area proper representation.

“They (the constituents) have become dissatisfied with the level of representation over the years and have asked me to be their representative,” Trench said.

Meanwhile, Hanson said that he was not perturbed by the challenge for the seat.

“I am not worried. The people love me and respect me, and I have been doing my work,” he said.

Hanson added however that he would, over the next few months, intensify his political actives in the area in a bid to secure his position as the party’s representative whenever general elections are held.