KINGSTON, Jamaica—When he made his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 9, Minister with responsibility for Land and Settlements Robert Montague could not resist the temptation to talk about his unlikely victory in the 2025 General Election after opinion polls had shown him to be the most vulnerable of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidates.

He addressed the matter on June 9 during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

“In June last year when friends were few, the workers of Western St Mary rallied, the people stood by me, so that, when a 19 per cent deficit was broadcast and bandied about, some wished that I was done! But ah come mi did just ah come,” said Montague to laughter even from Opposition members.

According to him, “The JLP team, with almost no resources, turned a 19-point deficit into a five-point victory in less than three months and placed us in the top six of candidates with the most votes in the last election”.

“This is the stuff that books are written about,” he declared in his inimitable style before speaking directly to his constituents who he promised more developments during the current term, while also putting his fellow government minister on the hook to provide the necessary funding.

“The people of Western St Mary know that this year we will complete the water projects, so Springfield, Hartlands, Halifax, Three Hills, Tower Isle, Brooklyn Road, Kiddland, Charles Town, Orcabessa, Mile Gully, and George Town will see marked improvement. Bless you, Minister Samuda.

“The clinics in Fellowship Hall and Wood Park will soon be done, so thanks to Minister Tufton and his team. All clinics would have been repaired and upgraded and work will soon start on the new Hunts Town Clinic, thanks to the Allen family, from Top Pen, for donating the land free of cost,” said Montague.

He expressed condolences to the family of the late Iona Brown, a midwife who he said conceptualised, advocated for and worked towards establishing the Fellowship Hall Clinic. Nurse Brown was 93 years old at the time of her death.

As it relates to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Montaguse thanked him “and the tourism team for all you have done”.

“Minister Grange, thanks for the work on the mini-stadium, and we are looking forward to your commitment for the Phase 2 funds,” he continued before turning to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green, telling him that, “The farmers and fisherfolk say big up, and the people of Hartlands say remember the commitment that you publicly gave them when you came to the potato launch in Guys Hill”.

“Minister Morgan, all of Western St Mary has asked me to thank you for what you are doing, but are also asking when you coming to tour our roads,” he added.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness was not left out with Montague saying, “Mango Valley and Mile Gully say that 1PM promised them their road and they are confident that he will follow through. He has never failed them yet and they know he has spoken to Minister Morgan already”.

Montague promised to speak more about Western St Mary in the Constituency Debate.

-Lynford Simpson