NEW head of the People’s National Party (PNP) machinery in St Ann North Eastern Dr Ryan Simpson is confident that his team can make major inroads in the constituency amid the turmoil bedevilling the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the seat.

During the recent constituency’s annual conference at Marcus Garvey Technical High School, Simpson amassed 30 votes to defeat the incumbent James Walsh, who managed to secure only five votes.

With that victory behind him, Simpson is not ruling out becoming the party’s flag-bearer in the next general election.

But Simpson is well aware that there is a process that must be followed. The PNP’s candidate in the 2020 General Election was Keith Brown who lost to the JLP’s Marsha Smith and it is not yet clear if he intends to contest the polls again.

“I have indicated my interest to run in the next general election, but, of course, there is a process. There is no confirmation [about general election candidacy], except that I am now the chairman for the constituency,” Simpson told the Jamaica Observer.

“I am not one to gloat; I am very thankful, very appreciative, very fortunate, and very humbled that the delegates would have expressed a vote of confidence in me.”

Simpson, a clergyman, was pencilled in to represent the JLP in St Ann South Eastern, where he partly grew up, in the 2020 General Election but was replaced by Delroy Granston at the last minute after it was alleged that he had disregarded COVID-19 protocols.

“I have decided to come back to the party of my roots,” Simpson told the Observer on Wednesday.

“I believe the People’s National Party represents the better of the two to bring development to Jamaica and to maximise the development of the north coast,” Simpson added.

The PNP has not enjoyed a victory in St Ann North East since 2001 when the now deceased Shahine Robinson of the JLP broke its winning streak.

“I am a person for challenge. I believe that any constituency can be won no matter how ‘die-hearted’ the people are and no matter how long they have been with one party. I believe it can be won by a good candidate who does hard work. Someone who has a passion and love for the people and the development of Jamaica…” declared Simpson.

“There are other constituencies that were available that I could have put my bid on for as well, but I have a very strong love for St Ann.”

Simpson was elected chairman of the constituency between two major protests by JLP supporters who are disgruntled with Smith.

The JLP supporters, who backed Smith in 2020, have accused her of poor representation.

“Although the PNP has lost the seat for over 25 years, I believe that it can be won. And now presents a window of opportunity — a great opportunity…,” Simpson argued.

“The JLP had a candidate in the person of Shahine Robinson that people said worked and provided what I would say was very good representation to the constituency; that is not the case any more. And so I believe I can do a far better job than the current member of Parliament. I believe I can lift the calibre of the constituency and bring it back to its former glory.”

Simpson further told the Observer that, going forward, one of his main strategies will be to have a strong presence on the ground in the constituency among the people.

“My background is pastoral ministry,” he noted.

“You can’t represent people until you know what their needs are… My strategy is to go to the people where they are; that’s how successful members of Parliament were able to achieve success… That’s my strategy, to put my finger on the pulse, find the people where they are, listen to them, assess their needs, and address their needs. There are lots of needs in this constituency.”