United, strong, ready says PNP’s McNeill
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Having suffered a surprise defeat in Westmoreland Western in the 2020 general election, five-term Member Of Parliament Dr Wykeham McNeill has set his sights on wresting Trelawny Northern from the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Tova Hamilton.
McNeill, the People’s National Party’s (PNP) representative, and Hamilton were both nominated earlier today to contest the upcoming polls in Trelawny Northern.
In the 2020 General Election, Hamilton defeated the PNP’s Victor Wright by more than 1,700 votes to win the seat that has been held by the PNP for more than 30 years.
Dr McNeill, on the other hand, was defeated by political neophyte, the JLP’s Morland Wilson, by 1,053 votes.
Following his nomination at Falmouth Courthouse Monday, the 67-year-old Dr McNeill told reporters he decided to come out of retirement to vie for the Trelawny seat after discussions with the hierarchy of his party.
He stressed that the feedback to his decision has been tremendous.
“Since I have been here [Trelawny Northern] for over a year now, I have walked the hills and valleys and I feel welcome due to the love and respect that I have been shown. I feel proud to become the standard-bearer for the People’s National Party,” he told reporters.
“We are united, we are strong, and we are ready for the September 3 elections,” Dr McNeill added.
Jubilant People’s National Party (PNP) supporters wait outside Falmouth Courthouse during nomination of the party’s Dr Wykeham McNeill as their candidate for Trelawny Northern in the September 3 general election.
He said if elected, he plans to address the lack of potable water in the constituency, poor housing conditions, and education.
Dr McNeill, who is a former minister of tourism, highlighted that with his vast experience in the sector, he is best suited to drive tourism-related developments in Trelawny.
“It’s a new frontier. The benefits to be had are tremendous, and I believe that with my experience, I can drive the process so that the people can benefit tremendously,” he said.
– Mark Cummings.
