A date for a by-election to fill the Central Westmoreland seat left vacant with the passing of the People’s National Party’s Member of Parliament Roger Clarke is yet to be announced, but already a number of persons are eyeing the seat. The Jamaica Observer West’s Alan Lewin sought reaction on Tuesday when he visited the constituency and asked: Who do you think is most suitable to represent the constituency of Central Westmoreland?

Yolando Cazely, store manager:

We want Michael Erskine because he can sit on my court case, so we have a lawyer to represent us as our MP. We don’t want the other one them that we hear about.

Lennox Mackie, unemployed:

We don’t want Karl Blythe or Michael Erskine. Only a person from the JLP can replace Roger Clarke.

Talisha Bedward-Scarlett, sales representative:

I think Karl Blythe should get the edge. He is a kind person and he always look out for the poor people.

Shantel Wright, unemployed:

I think it should be Dr Karl Blythe. From what I heard, he is a good man and look out for the poor people as Michael Manley did. That is what I have heard from my parents.

Tasha Walker, unemployed:

Well, anyone the PNP choose is fine with me. But of the two names that are rumoured, I think Karl Blythe should get the nod.

Bernard Vanriel, PNP councillor:

I believe that the party should look outside for a replacement because the constituency calls for a lot of money. It takes a lot of money to run a by-election in a parish council division much less to run a by-election in a constituency. The persons from the parish who I hear want to run now, are bruk pocket.

But whoever the party selects to run, I will support them