HE is taking on a task which many have described as mission impossible — trying to capture the Portmore mayoral post for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

But Markland “Action” Edwards is confident that the stars have aligned for him to follow in the footsteps of Keith Hinds, who was elected Portmore’s mayor on a JLP ticket in 2007, the only time the party has won that post since the direct election was introduced in 2003.

“I am saying to you, on Monday, February 26, when the votes are counted, think of Markland Edwards as the next mayor of Portmore — not just someone running on a JLP ticket, but someone who will be the people’s mayor who you can hold accountable. I am a man of God and a man of principle, so you can hold me accountable, and I will make sure I deliver to the people of Portmore,” the well known gospel personality and broadcaster told the
Jamaica Observer on Sunday.

“This is an opportunity to serve the people of Portmore and, by extension, Jamaica, land we love. That is what politics is about,” added Edwards.

But seasoned political watchers argue that in addition to trying to achieve a victory in what is traditionally People’s National Party (PNP) territory, Edwards is facing the double disadvantage of disquiet in the JLP ranks over his selection and the failure of the Government to complete its move to make Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish before the election.

Based on the geographic boundaries proposed for the parish, residents of a number of communities which traditionally support the PNP would have been disqualified for the direct election of the mayor — which should have given Edwards a huge boost.

On Sunday the political newbies sought to downplay the possibly devastating impact of the delay in pushing through the Portmore parish legislation.

“I don’t see it as a fatal blow, and at the same time you should recall the prime minister saying that he will not use the declaration of Portmore being a parish as a political tool. Note that the Bill is ready to go to Parliament and the prime minister said, ‘I am going to hold off on this, and let’s have the election first,’ and I guarantee you that the people of Portmore will elect a JLP mayor on Monday, February 26,” said Edwards.

He also downplayed a protest by supporters of businessman Delroy Dobney, who have declared that they would not work for the party in the election after Dobney was overlooked for a go at the mayoral job.

In voicing their opposition to Edwards they have argued that the party did not do a proper background check on him and that there are issues which the PNP will raise during the campaign.

But Edwards told the
Observer: “There are no skeletons in my closet to bite the party, but that is the nature of [Jamaica’s] politics — many times people will take the low road, but I will not be distracted by anything negative. I am not into dirty politics, I’m not going to run a smear campaign against anyone, and it is about time we move our politics above that.”

He said the leadership of the JLP decided to give him the nod to contest the mayoral race while keeping Dobney as its caretaker candidate for St Catherine Southern to ensure that it is offering strong representation at all levels to the people of Portmore.

“I want to put on record that my campaign team and Mr Dobney’s campaign team met yesterday [Saturday] and we ironed everything out on how we are going to campaign together and move everything forward.

“That is water under the bridge, and I know for sure that when election day comes every supporter of the Jamaica Labour Party, every Labourite… who are of the age to vote will come out and give the JLP the nod because they know [that] to build prosperity, particularly for the people of Portmore, we need to control local government,” added Edwards.

He argued that the signs are in place not only for a JLP mayor for Portmore but that the municipal corporation, with its 12 divisions, will be dominated by JLP councillors.

“For me to be effective I also need my 12 councillors — and if not all 12 I need a majority of seven or eight. I’m going for 12, but if I fall short I should have at least eight JLP councillors with me.

“I have a vision to transform Portmore division by division, community by community, and individual by individual — and I think it can be done,” said Edwards, who has identified proper garbage collection, improvements to the road network, and proper street lights among the low-hanging fruits he would tackle.

Edwards is expected to face the PNP’s Leon Thomas come election day.

Thomas has served as Portmore’s mayor since 2013 when he was appointed to act after then-sitting Mayor George Lee died. Thomas secured his personal mandate in 2016 and goes for a second term come February 26.