WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Outgoing deputy mayor of Savanna-la-Mar and councillor caretaker for the Little London Division (Jamaica Labour Party), Ian Myles, took a swipe at his old political stomping ground on Friday  when he told a motorcade led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Little London Square, that “time come.”

‘Time Come’ is the campaign slogan of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP). In July, Myles and his colleague from the neighbouring division of Sheffield, Garfield James,  became independent councillors after resigning from the PNP. The men later crossed the floor to the JLP in September. Both men were nominated on February 8 to run for their respective divisions in the upcoming February 26 local government election.

“When we look at the municipality of Savanna-la-Mar, that municipality has not grown. It is the only municipality on the island that has regressed instead of progress. Look at Savanna-la-Mar. It is an embarrassment and indictment on the people of the parish. And so I say to you that time come. Time come for you to ensure all 14 divisions are in the winning column for the Jamaica Labour Party,” said Myles, to a round of applause from Holness and a showing of support from Westmoreland Western Member of Parliament (JLP) Morland Wilson and party supporters.

“Where are they going? What happened to them? It is a new paradigm. It is a new shift. We have to endorse, support and live the legacy that Andrew Holness has set for Jamaica. Shower Labourites,” added Myles, who requested those gathered in the Little London Square to vote for him.

Holness in his address to the gathering, said he was seeing Myles, who appears to be a well-seasoned politician, in action, for the first time.

“I must say that he fits in quite well. You know what, I think you were a labourite from a long time,” stated Holness, to which Myles shook his head in agreement while the gathering shouted, “Same suh it guh.”

“In my brief interaction with Mr Myles, I have picked up that he is a no-nonsense person. I have picked up that he is a principled person and I have picked up that he understands the fundamental values of the Jamaica Labour Party. Our party believes in serving the people. Our party believes in being truthful, honest and respectful of the people. But, our party more than anything else, we believe in improving the lives of the people. We believe in moving the people out of poverty into prosperity,” stated Holness.

“Some people believe prosperity is heaven. No problem, no worry, [and] you are happy all the time. That is not prosperity. Prosperity is the state of being hopeful. Having an optimistic outlook on the future. Prosperity is the state of being able to fulfil your dreams…”

Holness, who asked that electors support both men on February 26, also spoke of the importance of Local Government and the government’s management of the economy which has allowed for things important to the public, such as potable water, to be provided.

He spoke of plans to upgrade the Roaring River Treatment Plant and various communities including New Town, Mount Stewart to Cornwall Mountain, Cambelton and Maxfield.

For his part, Wilson noted that a lot of work has been accomplished since  Holness, the JLP and he, were given a chance after 30 years of the opposition People’s National Party control of the parish. However, Wilson said more work remains to be done, and as such, he urged the residents to go out and vote.

“Three years on, we are still doing a lot of work. We are fixing roads, we have put in Wi-Fi across the community and we are developing the water system. So, I am asking you as the good labourite you are,  to continue to support the Jamaica Labour Party. Come February 26, go out and vote Labour,” urged Wilson.

As the motorcade ended in Sheffield, the councillor candidate for the Sheffield division Garfield James, told the gathering that the country is on the right track and therefore, supporters should ensure that progress is not derailed.

“On the 26th, we are going to send a strong message to Jamaica and the global village that we understand where we want to go with Jamaica. We understand that Jamaica is on the right track. We are experiencing growth and we are experiencing fiscal responsibility,” stated James.

“Labourites, we cannot stop the progress. We are to ensure that we return this government to where it belongs, which is taking care of the economy so that we can build capacity so that your lives can be better and together, we can achieve that.”

“Labourites, stand your ground. Go out there and work. And, do not use hype. It is always substance over hype. Remember, do not leave anything for granted.”

Anthony Lewis