MONTEGO BAY, St James — Member of Parliament for Hanover Western Ian Hayles has extended an olive branch to colleague MP D K Duncan, who he is challenging for the chairmanship of the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Region Six .

Dr Duncan, who is the MP for Hanover Eastern, was absent during Hayles’ campaign launch at the Montego Bay High School in St James last weekend.

However, the 43-year-old Hayles, who on one hand extended the olive branch, indicated that Dr Duncan’s time was up.

“I want to say thanks to Comrade Dr DK Duncan. I want to say thanks,” stated Hayles as he was interrupted for the second time by a woman in the crowd who shouted out, “nobody can’t dis DK.”

Said Hayles: “Nobody can’t dis him (Duncan) fi true; he is mi friend. But, there is something in politics what makes you hold on pass your time, and I want to say to Comrade Duncan, I offer you tonight an olive branch to work with us here in Region Six after next week Sunday in ensuring that whenever time the general election is called, we buss the Labourites them backside, once and for all.”

He claimed that over the past two months he has been campaigning in the region, which comprises the parishes of Hanover, St James and Westmoreland and pointed out that everyone in the party has a right to run for any position in the party as laid out by the party’s founder Norman Manley.

Hayles said two years ago he was approached by Luther Buchanan (MP for Westmoreland Eastern) to challenge Dr Duncan for the chairman position. However, he said he backed down as he was not ready at that time.

Hayles also thanked party supporters for their support at a time when friends are few.

“Comrades, to the members of parliament here tonight, I must say thank you for coming out. Because, when friends are few, you saw it best to come out and stand up with your fellow comrade and your fellow brother, Ian Hayles,” the Hanover Western MP noted, adding that he has organisational skills capable of handling the job (chairmanship).

“… And if you say here to me tonight, Comrade Duncan has the book for the organisation, for winning elections. I would say to you, yes, he does, but I will also say to you that Ian Hayles has the computer fi win general elections,” said Hayles.

“I have been a two-term member of parliament, going on to my third term, and with the strength and support of my constituency I will return as member of parliament for the People’s National Party,” Hayles told the launch.