Dear Editor,

It’s evident that there is a significant rift within the People’s National Party (PNP) regarding the introduction of Isat Buchanan as its candidate for the Portland Eastern constituency.

During the recent candidate presentation in Portland Eastern, the turnout was telling — only one PNP Member of Parliament (MP), party leader Mark Golding, the General Secretary Dayton Campbell, and two senators were present, one of whom is a known Portland reject.

What’s even more concerning is the lack of a clear vision or plans for the people of the constituency. Instead of focusing on local issues and solutions, the discussion revolved around Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Daryl and Annmarie Vaz. This lack of engagement with the community’s needs is disappointing and reflects poorly on the PNP’s current direction.

The PNP appears to be running a campaign similar to that of its geopolitical affiliate in the United States, the Democratic Party, which relied heavily on celebrity endorsements and hype rather than addressing the core concerns of voters.

As a party, it should prioritise the needs of its constituents and address their concerns rather than getting caught up in internal conflicts or external criticisms. It’s a sad day for the PNP when it fails to present a united front and a clear plan for the future.

Supporters of the PNP in Portland Eastern must demand a more compelling and attractive candidate if they are to mount a successful challenge against two of the Jamaica Labour Party’s strongest and best-performing MPs, Annmarie and Daryl Vaz.

Christophe McCurdy

kristophe60@hotmail.com