AS seasoned People’s National Party (PNP) politician Peter Bunting and the Jamaica Labour Party’s political neophyte Ian Ives gear up to go head to head in Manchester Southern on September 3, when constituents cast their ballots to determine the next Member of Parliament, the Jamaica Observer spoke to some of those potential electors ahead of the showdown.

Supporters, including delegates and members of the campaign teams of both parties, were asked why their candidate should win. Check out their responses.

Elaine Jenkins, a delegate of the JLP: “Based on how I see it, I was on the campaign trail from Porus to Alligator Pond and it is a clean sweep for Mr Ives. I work with body language. What I see on the ground is all about Mr Ives becoming the MP.”

Barbara Powell, a delegate of the JLP: “I have been a delegate of the JLP from 1980 and this constituency always go by the PNP until our [former] Member of Parliament Mr Chin took over. He was here for a couple years but some of the people were not satisfied with him. They change to Mr Ives; he is doing a good job now on the ground. To how I see it now, I see that the people are with him and he is a humble man. I went to the nomination day and it was looking so good for him so I know he will take the seat back to JLP for us.”

Merlene Williams, a delegate of the JLP: “What I see with Mr Ives is that he is a very humble man, loving and caring and easy to speak with, and as far as I am concerned he is going to take South Manchester home for the Jamaica Labour Party.”

Millicent Pryce, constituency secretary and campaign administrator for Peter Bunting: “For this campaign I can tell you that we have resources. We have a candidate who has a plan and outlines his plan — not just to his campaign team but to the constituents — on plans which South Manchester is in dire need of like roads, employment, water. Those are some of our main issues in South Manchester. He has promised to address those when he becomes Member of Parliament for South Manchester.”

Delroy Sparkes, member of the PNP’s campaign team from Grove Town: “We saw what happened in the Grove Town Division. I think that sends a direct message that there has been a change where that ‘diehardness’ is concerned. We had a candidate who came in just a few months [before the local government election] and gained some traction and lost by a mere 200 plus votes. I think that is a message in and of itself.”

Sheryl Pasco-Blake, member of the PNP’s campaign team from Newport: “The people are excited and out in their numbers because we have a change; they see someone who they can relate to, and one who comes to their level, and someone who involves them. You have a mixture [of people], so you get more energy coming out of the Newport Division. Peter Bunting comes with plans in place…He is not just for roads and water, the old and young people [as well as] the business people can relate, so there are plans for just about everybody.”

Karen Angella Scott of the Jamaica Progressive Party, which joined forces with Jamaica First Movement, launched by prominent clergyman Al Miller, has also joined the race in Manchester Southern after being duly nominated last Monday.

– Kasey Williams

– See related stories on pages 16-18, 20 & 22

Millicent Pryce, constituency secretary and campaign administrator for Peter Bunting

Delroy Sparkes, member of the PNP’s campaign team from Grove Town

Sheryl Pasco-Blake, member of the PNP’s campaign team from Newport