INCUMBENT Member of Parliament (MP) Floyd Green, pointing to his record of achievements, is digging in for a third-consecutive term in St Elizabeth South Western as he faces political newcomer Miranda Wellington who says her deep roots in the parish have steadily built momentum over the past two years.

Word in political circles is that Green, the minister of agriculture and fisheries in the current Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government, will undergo a stern test from Miranda Wellington of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), in the constituency long regarded as one of several battleground seats.

History shows that from 1962 to 2020 the political party that captured St Elizabeth South Western came out victorious at the national level in every election.

Election data show that the PNP won the seat seven times and the JLP six.

Green, who has served as MP for the constituency since 2016, shared that despite any challenges that might present themselves this election cycle, he is confident of victory.

“I think the reality with political service is that it never gets easier. Each time, it is always a little bit more challenging in terms of each election cycle but, with that said, as you go from election cycle to cycle, as you continue to serve, clearly you have the ability to stand on your record of performance. You are a lot more experienced than when you just started out and going into your first election.

“I clearly would know the ins and outs of the seat, the ins and outs of the people, and as such I think I am better able to manoeuvre some of the challenges that come with an election cycle,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

According to Green, he will centre his campaign on “people and performance over promises”.

“Ultimately, politics is about people. The people will tell you — whether it be their funeral, whether it be their set-up, whether it be their dance, whether it be their weddings — I’m there with them to share in those moments and to provide support. I think that has served me well over the years. I’ve always spent significant amounts of time in the seat; so even though I have ministerial responsibility, I’m in the seat at least four days out of the week. I think those things count,” said Green.

“It’s not things that you can put down and say one, two, three, like when you can numerate the projects, but I think that sort of relationship that I’ve been able to build with the people across the divisions — and this is people on both sides — I think the constituents, that are fair, that you speak to will say when it comes to representing people, I don’t ask political affiliation. When it comes to engagement I don’t ask, ‘Who do you vote for?’ We just engage and represent people as people,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Green said he has come to accept that in each election cycle the Opposition will put up a good talk about its candidate, but he will not allow his opponent’s remarks and tactics to intimidate him.

“When I first came in it was about how could I, a youngster in the political space, treat [with] somebody who had defeated a political juggernaut, and that it would never happen. And then the last time it was about how would I treat with somebody who has such deep roots and who had significant resources. I’ve never focused on the other side — what I always focus on is my representation,” he argued.

His references were to his election victory in 2016 over the PNP’s Hugh Buchanan, and his second triumph in 2010 when he faced the PNP’s Ewan Stephenson.

“What do I bring to the table? How can I ensure that the people appreciate that, ultimately, I’m here to serve and to serve their interests and that we’re working to create a better society? By now, the people have seen the work. Clearly, when we just started we were asking for their support, but I think each cycle I’m able to say and I’m able to show that we’ve done this to make their lives better,” said Green.

He listed among his achievements the rehabilitation of farm roads and support for farmers, increased water access for citizens, expansion of the irrigation network, the renovation and expansion of fire stations, the Black River Rebirth programme through efforts of the Government and private sector, the upgrading of Black River Hospital from Type C to Type B, construction of new pharmacies, as well as other forms of infrastructure development.

“I think people appreciate that we’ve done a lot in every area and that the journey is not yet complete. I think because they know that we have the ability to deliver on the commitments we make I never, ever worry about who else is on the other side — because I genuinely believe if we continue to do our work and continue to engage the people then the people will continue to vote for us,” he said.

However Wellington, an educator, pointed out that she has lived and worked in the constituency for more than 30 years and has built a strong relationship with constituents.

Wellington said she is further energised by the fact that there has never been a female MP for St Elizabeth South Western, and she intends to create history.

“I’m a resident of St Elizabeth South West — I’ve been all my life. I’m very familiar with the constituency and intimately connected with the constituency as I have a lot of family members. I have also been a teacher for almost 18 years now and I currently work in the constituency and still teach in the constituency, so there’s a strong connection,” she told the Sunday Observer.

“That kind of relationship building is not overnight, it’s 30-odd years of strength, and that tells you a lot about me as a candidate and the kind of strength that I bring to the political arena this time around,” Wellington argued.

She said she and her team have been working tirelessly on the campaign trail to get more residents involved and interested in politics, seeking out those who have been disengaged and disgruntled for many years.

“The energy that we are feeling right across the length and breadth of the constituency is overwhelming, and that’s because of the kind of connection that I’ve built. I’ve always been around people. The only time I left was when I went to study, and having built that kind of relationship, people feel that they would love to reward me because they see me as from them and so I feel that this is an integral role. This will be an integral part in the voter turnout,” she said.

Wellington admitted there is added pressure to win because it is a battleground constituency

Additionally, she said Green’s position as minister of agriculture, fisheries, and mining gives him access to resources she cannot obtain. However, she claimed that under Green’s leadership many farmers and fisherfolk have said that their lives have not improved, and their dissatisfaction gives her an advantage as a newcomer.

“I have nothing to lose,” she said. “The expectation is far less from me because I don’t have the resources, and I’m not getting millions of dollars for my salary, and I do not have government resources. In one way it is an opportunity because I can now say this is a Member of Parliament who has access to these resources, who is the Member of Parliament with responsibility for agriculture, and this is the kind of agriculture that is taking place in your constituency? He has far more disadvantages than me,” said Wellington.

“My main focus is to run an election with integrity because I represent that kind of mindset where I think that the people need to see value for their money, they need to see what they’re spending their tax dollars on, and also they need to see a representative that is for them — not for themselves,” she stressed.

Wellington said that while farm roads in the constituency have improved, many farmers are still unable to substantially produce.

“If a farmer doesn’t produce anything, it doesn’t make any sense that you have roads and nothing to farm. It’s just too late. Whatever they’re doing now, it’s just not resonating on the ground. And we’re seeing that, because so many pro-JLP communities are calling me to come and walk in them. Right now I’m heading to a major JLP community, and the people want to see me. That’s the advantage I bring to the political landscape,” said Wellington.

WELLINGTON… the energy that we are feeling right across the length and breadth of the constituency is overwhelming

GREEN… I think people appreciate that we’ve done a lot in every area and that the journey is not yet complete