Daraine Luton, Senior Parliamentary Reporter

MICHAEL STERN has vowed to be a fixture in Gordon House, as long as the people of North West Clarendon are willing to have him there.

The Jamaica Labour Party members have said that by the looks of things, he may be a parliamentarian for a long time.

"I intend to remain here as long as the people want me here," Stern said in Parliament on Wednesday.

He added: "It will be a long time, because based on what I see in North West Clarendon, they are very appreciative of my representation. I am a young man and I have longevity," Stern told Parliament.

Stern is to face the court in July. He is said to have sworn allegiance to a foreign power and if found guilty, he will be disqualified as a member of Parliament (MP).

However, while Stern is preparing for a by-election, The Sunday Gleaner has learnt that People's National Party Richard Azan, whom he unseated in 2007, may not contest the run-off.

As he made his contribution to the Sectoral Debate, Stern was like a man on a campaign platform as he boasted of his effectiveness as MP in the 18 months since he was elected.

Community development

He told the House that he had distributed 30,000 chickens, 36 bee colonies, equipment and 40 goats. He also pointed to the distribution of over 8,000lbs of ginger plants and 1,000 tissue culture plantlets for the Top Alstron ginger project.

Stern said that he spent a whopping $18 million for the purchase of 80 computer systems and equipment for the Edwin Allen and Claude McKay high schools.

He also pointed to several other instances of community development and intervention programmes that had been put in place since he was elected in 2007.

Stern, however, did not highlight aspects of his achievements, which were contained in his prepared speaking text. These achievements include assisting over 200 families with funeral grants and his attendance at over 230 funerals.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com