GOVERNMENT legislators Daryl Vaz and Everald Warmington on Tuesday engaged in a joust over the former’s strident declaration that he would not distribute State resources from his ministry on a partisan basis, or based on how people voted.

Vaz, the minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport, made the declaration last Thursday in an interview with the
Jamaica Observer as he joined the ruling Jamaica Labour Party in distancing himself from Warmington’s comments on the matter two Mondays ago.

In the aftermath of the local government elections Warmington, who had responsibility for works, told supporters that he would starve People’s National Party (PNP) councillor-elect for the Old Harbour South Division, Dr Kurt Waul, of money to carry out work in his division. At the same time, Warmington indicated that he would allocate funds to the defeated JLP candidate in the division, Lloyd Grant.

The comments resulted in Warmington being summoned by Prime Minister Andrew Holness who issued a press release after their meeting, stating that Warmington had resigned from the Cabinet.

Asked about Warmington’s comments in the Observer interview last Thursday, Vaz said, “Let me just make it very clear that I disassociate myself from statements like that. I have a philosophy that is very simple, that you run on a party ticket [and] you are the JLP candidate, but once you are successful and you win and you become the Member of Parliament (MP), you are the Member of Parliament for all of your constituency. And that includes those who voted against you, those who did not vote, and those who voted for you. What you need to do as a smart politician is to see how you can win over those who voted against you and engage those who did not vote to get them to be interested to vote for you, based on your performance and your service to the constituency.”

During Tuesday’s sitting of the Standing Finance Committee, Warmington questioned Vaz about his stance, asking him if there are any methods within his ministry or if there is any scope by which he can make allocations to councillors.

“Not to my knowledge, member,” Vaz responded.

Warmington continued to press, asking Vaz: “Do you know any other ministry that can do that?”

‘Not that I know of,” Vaz responded.

“But then, if that’s the case, you made a statement the other day, where I am concerned, that you disassociate yourself from the statement I made. If it is not within a minister’s [purview] to do it, how you making such statement in the Observer?” Warmington asked.

Vaz responded: “Chairman, let me make it clear for all who have ears to hear and eyes to see. I do not support partisan political politics at any level — whether it’s at council level, MP level, or government level — and as a minister of government that will never happen under my watch in any way, shape, or form.”

As Warmington continued to quarrel off microphone the committee chairman told Vaz that the microphone was not on for the member, so he didn’t have to respond.

But Warmington continued to quarrel off the microphone, to which Vaz retorted: “It doesn’t seem like you have learnt anything.”

In the face of strong criticisms about his comments Warmington last Wednesday issued a news release in which he claimed that his statements were “misunderstood”.

“It was never my intention to imply that a duly elected councillor should be denied rightful funding for their municipal division,” Warmington said.

“My remarks were focused on the established practice that MPs direct funds for constituencies while councillors direct funds from the municipal council. These are distinct and separate channels,” he added.