A woman directs traffic along the main road from Trout Hall to Frankfield in Clarendon which is currently being rehabilitated. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

FORMER MEMBER of Parliament for North West Clarendon, Michael Stern, says he will continue to work on the ground in an unofficial capacity despite a court ruling Monday forcing him to vacate the constituency seat.

Speaking with The Gleaner on Wednesday, Stern said he had been interacting with the people of North West Clarendon for more than 14 years before entering representational politics and would not turn his back on constituents.

"I intend to spend more time now on the ground with the people; and to represent them outside of Parliament. I can do so because I am used to that. So rest assured, the people of North West Clarendon will have Michael Stern for a long time," said Stern.

Supreme Court judge Lloyd Hibbert ruled Monday that Stern, who is embroiled in a dual-citizenship controversy which has already forced two by-elections since the 2007 national polls, give up the North West Clarendon seat. Hibbert has reserved judgment till August on whether a by-election should be called or the seat be transferred to the People's National Party's Richard Azan.

Azan's unwillingness

Stern said all approved projects in the constituency would continue.

He criticised Azan for what he believed was his unwillingness, as expressed last month, to contest a by-election.

"He should know why he is running from an election. The people of North West Clarendon should be given a chance to go to the electorate to choose their representative," said Stern.

Stern, a former junior minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, said he was confident that his efforts - including roadwork, farming assistance, entrepreneurship programmes and water supply installations - would not go unnoticed.

"I am proud of what I have been able to achieve for one year and 10 months. The people of North West Clarendon are no fools.

"They have put in many members of parliament before, based strictly on performance. They know what it is to perform and they always give opportunities to those who perform," he said.