Dear Editor,

One of the most difficult constituencies for both the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) to run is St Ann North Western.

The first time the JLP won it was in 1980, with Princess Lawes defeating Arnold Bertram. She was replaced in 1989 with Ernest Smith. Burchell Whiteman, in 1989, defeated defeated Ernest Smith. Whiteman was then replaced by Arnold Bertram in 1997. Smith was replaced by Verna Parchment in 2002. Bertram again was beaten by a JLP female in Parchment.

Due to Parchment crossing the floor, Othneil Lawrence, in 2006, defeated Michael Belnavis by 10 votes to represent the seat in the 2007 election against Michael Whittingham.

In 2011 Dayton Campbell took over the seat from his colleague Whittingham to defeat incumbent Othneil Lawrence in 2011.

In 2018 Ruel Reid was named to replace Othneil Lawrence, but in April 2019 Reid made an exit.

Dayton Campbell could be the second candidate to win the seat three times since it was created in 1959. The PNP’s Elon Wilson did so in 1962, 1967 and 1972. Dayton Campbell will become stronger if Peter Phillips is defeated by Peter Bunting and the converse is true. But I don’t think he will be replaced or lose to any challenge from within.

Therefore, for the JLP to beat Dayton Campbell it needs to have a strong candidate. Locals like the councillor for the Brown’s Town Division Kim Brown Lawrence or mayor for St Ann Michael Belnavis could be enough for Dayton Campbell. But if the party doesn’t believe the locals can’t defeat Dayton Campbell it will have to go for an outsider again. The likes of Danville Walker and Dennis Meadows could have their names called up for the constituency. But if anyone is able to beat Dayton Campbell it is Aundre Franklin. He’s very energetic, combative, calculative, experienced, a great organiser, and a man who can bring divided factions from within together. The former Young Jamaica president and former general secretary deserves a safe seat, but his mentor Karl Samuda is not planning to retire, neither is Olivia Grange retiring.

So, I believe Franklin should be sent to bat for the JLP.

Let’s see who is listening.

Teddylee Gray

Ocho Rios, St Ann

teddylee.gray@gmail.com