Monique Hepburn, News Editor
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (left), outgoing Member of Parliament for East Westmoreland, presents Councillor Luther Buchanan of the Westmoreland Parish Council's Leamington division as the candidate who will proceed to a by-election to replace him following his retirement in April. The event was held at the Maud McLeod High School on Thursday. - Herbert Mckenis Photo
WESTERN BUREAU:
LUTHER BUCHANAN, councillor of the Westmoreland Parish Council's Leamington division, was on Thursday given the green light by People's National Party (PNP) delegates to contest the by-election to replace outgoing Prime Minister, and East Westmoreland Member of Parliament P.J. Patterson, following his retirement in April.
At a presentation ceremony held at the
Maud McLeod High School in Darliston, Westmoreland, hundreds of party supporters and delegates witnessed the start of the symbolic passing of the baton from Mr. Patterson to his prospective successor in that Eastern Westmoreland constituency.
"I came to you in 1970 and I made a pledge to you," said Mr. Patterson. "I have been faithful to that covenant, but now it is time for me to move on and you must move on too."
Mr. Patterson contended that he wasted no effort in promoting the importance of a united constituency, one that accommodates persons of other political persuasions. "The MP is here for everyone and there will not be any fighting against Labourites," he said. The Prime Minister said that with those values in mind he had instructed Mr. Buchanan to practise those same principles.
"I spoke to him before I came here and I told him to walk humbly and do not be overcome by the sin of arrogance and false pride and always be responsive to the needs of the people," Mr. Patterson stated.
AN EMOTIONAL EVENING
In response, Mr. Buchanan, who is a 37-year-old auto mechanic and brother of the late Dr. Norman Buchanan, who was tipped to replace Mr. Patterson, promised to continue with quality representation should he occupy the seat.
"This evening is an emotional one for me as I remember my brother, Dr. Norman Buchanan," he said. "I am humbled even more each day by the confidence the people of Eastern Westmoreland has shown to me. We will continue to represent the dream of rural Jamaica."
Mr. Buchanan became the sole candidate seeking the PNP's nomination to run in the upcoming by-election after attorney-at-law Leonard Green announced, last week, that he was pulling out of the race. He is the nephew of both Water and Housing Minister, Donald Buchanan, and State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Noel Monteith.
