Member of Parliament John Junor plants a kiss on Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller after meeting with members of the Mandeville business community on August 19, 2006, while Vando Palmer, who would have replaced Junor as PNP candidate in Central Manchester, looks on. Palmer last Friday quit as the PNP's representative, citing as his reason 'the dirty underbelly' of local politics. - File

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

VANDO PALMER has issued countless statements in over 20 years as a communictions man. His resignation letter as the People's National Party's (PNP) candidate for Central Manchester was, arguably, the most difficult communique he has written.

The letter was released last Friday, ending weeks of speculation about Palmer's status in the ruling party, and a constituency considered a battleground seat in general election due this year.

Interestingly, in an interview with Television Jamaica the previous day, Palmer insisted he would stay in the post despite rumours that he would be replaced. His position had been in doubt since revelations in January by his wife, Marcia, that he physically abused her.

Three days ago, Palmer changed his tune. In his resignation letter, he cited the "dirty underbelly" of Jamaican politics, not domestic problems, for his stepping down.

"Having regard to the consistent effort of a small number of detractors who have consistently undermined my effectiveness in the constituency, and after careful consideration and consultation with my family and friends, I hereby tender my resignation as PNP candidate for Central Manchester and constituency chairman with immediate effect," the letter read.

Donald Buchanan, the PNP's general secretary, said a decision would be taken on the Central Manchester situation at a meeting of the party's executive scheduled for last evening.

In a statement Friday, Buchanan said senior PNP members met with Marcia Palmer early in the week to discuss her alleged marital problems.

According to the statement, Mrs. Palmer denied that her husband beat her; the whole affair, she said, was an "unfortunate misunderstanding".

Third PNP resignation

It is the third resignation by a PNP constituency representative in six months. Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba stepped down as South East St. Ann Member of Parliament in November, while Lloyd Myrie, the party's North West St. Elizabeth caretaker, resigned in January after being charged with carnal abuse of a 15-year-old girl.

Palmer, the former communications head of the National Water Commission (NWC) and National Works Agency (NWA), was named as the PNP's man in Central Manchester two years ago, replaceing outgoing MP John Junor who has held the seat since 1989.

His opponent in general election, expected by October, is Sally Porteous, the feisty deputy mayor of Mandeville. Based on Gleaner-commissioned polls, Palmer was trailing Porteous.

Political neophyte

St. Elizabeth-born, Palmer is regarded as a political neophyte who made a name for himself as the affable public relations man at the NWA. Previously, he was a correspondent for the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) and also worked at the NWC.

In April 2005, he defeated the efficient former Mandeville Mayor Horace Williams in a run-off to succeed Junor as the PNP's candidate for Central Manchester. Palmer was also appointed communications officer for Portia Simpson Miller's campaign for PNP president.

Palmer's entry into representational politics was dogged by controversy from the start. The JLP and Jamaica Civil Service Association called on him to resign from the NWA after his appointment as candidate, as civil servants are barred from holding political positions.

He resigned from the NWA in May 2005.

Vando Palmer was confident of retaining the Central Manchester seat for the PNP. He planned to upgrade Mandeville's market and hospital, and take on bauxite companies which he said have contributed to the parish's deteriorating environment.

Palmer's cellular phone went unanswered on the weekend. But in an interview with Radio Jamaica last Friday, he said his days in politics were not over.

"I shall return," he declared.