LUCEA, Hanover — Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP) candidate for Hanover Western, Leonard Sharpe, is urging residents of Hanover to put aside blind support for the two major political parties — the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) — and look at what others have to offer.

“Put away the diehard and deal with proper representation,” stated Sharpe in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

There are 34,819 registered voters in the constituency for which he is vying to become Member of Parliament against the incumbent Tamika Davis of the JLP and the PNP’s Heatha Miller Bennett

“I am just asking the people to look at the three representatives now and think which one of them can represent you out of the three. Which one is best to be your representative?” he prodded.

No newcomer to representational politics, for more than 18 years Sharpe has tried, unsuccessfully, to serve at both the local and national level. For much of that time he ran on a National Democratic Movement (NDM) ticket in Hanover Western. This includes the 2007 General Election when he got six votes, three fewer than independent candidate Yuwakhidid Iduwaqayliz. Both men were well behind the JLP’s Donovan Hamilton, who got 7,140 votes, and the PNP’s Ian Hayles, who won with 7,313 votes.

Sharpe did not contest the 2011 General Election. However, he returned as the NDM’s candidate in 2016 and obtained 27 votes. The JLP’s Brian Wallace got 5,358 votes while the PNP’s Hayles again came out ahead with 6,829 votes.

In 2003, again on an NDM ticket, Sharpe tried his hand at the local government level in the Green Island Division, but only received three votes. The JLP’s Washington Scarlett received 1,090 votes while the PNP’s Fredricous Miller took the division with 1,230.

Then, in 2016 Sharpe made another attempt at the local government election — this time as an independent. However, he only managed to receive six votes. Another independent candidate, Nevorn Samuels, received 227 votes while the JLP’s Ritcliffe Reid obtained 775 votes, and there were 1,258 votes for the PNP’s Marvell Sewell.

According to Sharpe, neither the PNP nor the JLP are attractive options.

“The parish needs representation and, over the years, I haven’t seen any with the JLP and the PNP. The PNP is now just for friends and family; they are not really representing the people, and the JLP is the same. If you are a person who can represent people you have to try and see if you can get the chance to represent them the right way,” he explained.

“If you look at the JLP and the PNP, they are stagnant; they can’t help the parish and the people of this parish none at all. We need something new,” stated Sharpe.

He went on to outline some of the issues he has seen in the parish and how he would address them, should he be given a chance.

“One of my plans is to develop the Green Island Health Clinic so that they can have more space to operate better,” stated Sharpe who noted that despite positives such as housing developments and the opening of the island’s largest hotel in 15 years, the clinic remains crammed.

He also cited a need for improvement at the Green Island Police Station.

“They need more vehicles and a bigger station with more police to tackle the crime,” stated Sharpe.

He also spoke of the need for fire posts at all police stations, improved hospital and road conditions, as well as access to a reliable water supply. Sharpe is determined to be of service.

“I am here to stay. I am not going anywhere because the JPP is a registered party. We are here to help the people, for the people, and to show the PNP and the JLP that we are better [at] representing the people more than them,” he argued.

“People should look to the JPP even though we are late and young out here. The JLP and the PNP are 80-odd years old and are still fighting to help the people. If the JPP were so many years old we would not be fighting to represent the people because we would have already set the milestone and know what the people want to survive,” added the JPP candidate.