The St Catherine North Eastern constituency was yesterday abuzz with discussions about monumental happenings because of yesterday's Supreme Court ruling which ousted Member of Parliament Gregory Mair and left the seat vacant.

When The Gleaner visited the constituency, the torrential rain was not enough, it seemed, to dampen the spirits of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters or to wash away the fighting spirit of those aligned to the Opposition People's National Party (PNP).

Expects PNP to contest

In Riversdale, a PNP supporter told The Gleaner he expects his party to contest the seat as it did in West Portland.

"Then dem nuh mus contest it - dem cyan have so much PNP inna di place an just have dem drop dung boof so," Norman Bell said as he reasoned through the issue with a fellow PNP supporter.

"If them neva waan fi contest the seat, them wouldn't carry it go court inna di first place," he said.

Bell then warned that if the seat is not vigorously contested by the party, the PNP could simply forget his support the next time around.

'Mair all the way'

Across the road, a few faithful JLP supporters had congregated at the JLP constituency office.

"Gregory Mair all the way," said Kenroy Grant.

The JLP representatives pointed to a notice board inside their constituency office, with pictures of Mair interacting with residents at various community functions, as evidence of his hard work and argued that he was "the best thing to have ever happened" to the constituency.

In another section of the constituency, Guy's Hill, the prevailing mood was that of apathy.

Already resigning victory to the JLP, they argued a by-election would make no difference.

andrew.wildes@gleanerjm.com