PEOPLE'S NATIONAL Party (PNP) vice-president and leadership hopeful, Dr. Karl Blythe, is predicting another upset victory for the PNP.Dr. Blythe, who along with a host of top officials of the PNP were in Alexandria, on Monday, said he will be ensuring that the PNP take charge of the division this time around. "It is important to note that we have a candidate and we have a party that is supporting her. And because of the support of the entire party behind this candidate, we are confident notwithstanding tradition that this time around Alexandria division will go to the PNP," Dr. Blythe confided.
Adding to this high level of optimism was no other person than the campaign director and PNP deputy general secretary Maureen Webber. Ms. Webber told The Sunday Gleaner that about four weeks ago the campaign started in the division and that she was very, very hopeful about the outcome. She noted that after 58 years of JLP dominance the PNP is now ready to make a difference and present the best candidate to represent the people at this time.
The PNP candidate Miss Campbell, said she is also banking her chances on the lack of proper representation. Referring to the service rendered to the division in the past 28 years by late councillor Frater, she said, "Fear enough, he was a good man, but when it comes to political affairs, no, no." Miss Campbell said the people in the area are displeased with the poor state of road, water supply, schools and also the lack of public sanitary convenience and that they are looking forward to her to make a difference.
But Member of Parliament for Southwest St. Ann, Ernest Smith said despite the ranting and raving of the PNP, victory for the JLP will be a mere formality. He said all the talk about the poor state of roads, water supplies and other services reflect government neglect of the constituency over the past 17 years.
Meanwhile the selection of Miss Campbell, Mr. McLeod's niece as the PNP's candidate is seen by that party as a strategic move to penetrate the strong JLP community to which their candidate has close family ties.
PREPARED DESPITE DISAPPOINTMENT
But while expressing some amount of disappointment that the PNP was trying to use family to split his family, Mr. McLeod said he is still prepared to whit his niece at the polls and still keep the family ties intact.
Mr. McLeod is also upset that his opponent had shown this regard for the excellent stewardship the late councillor Frater had given to the division, He said both PNP and JLP councillors who serve with Mr. Frater in the St. Ann Parish Council over the past 28 years have referred to him as a dignified and hardworking councillor and said the electors will not take kindly to such act of disrespect.
In the meantime, Mayor Delroy Giscombe is appealing to the residents in the Alexandria division to conduct themselves in a peaceful and dignified manner and ensure that the election is conducted free and fair.
