Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter 
Dr. Omar Davies and supporters. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
THE 'DARK horse' in the leadership race looks to be gathering pace in the final furlongs. Beverly Manley is an Omar Davies supporter, seduced by his pledge to make Jamaica a 'world-class' country within 10 years.
Mr. Davies 'Campaign for Prosperity' touts national leadership credentials through his record as Minister of Finance and Planning, a position the Member of Parliament for South St. Andrew has held for the last 12 years.
But criticised for inadequate interaction by constituents, he lacks the 'people's politician' tag of a Portia. But the man who has not slept one night in his own constituency promises he would happily hand over the MP reigns to a qualified local.
TOO CLOSE TO BUSINESS?
He is too close to business say many but 12 years ago, he is wont to remind, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson was concerned about appointing a comrade as Minister of Finance whom businessmen thought a 'communist'.
Other tags he will need to shake off include the infamous "run wid it" outburst after the 2002 Elections when he boasted of using public funds for the PNP campaign. Then there was his attendance at the funeral
of local don, William 'Willie Haggart' Moore. And not forgetting his branding of some young men from his constituency as "irredeemable and uneducated".
This self-inflicted damage has been hard to undo. He tirelessly promotes an image of financial responsibility embodied by the struggle of austerity against adversity that is the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
And he has made loud noises about not talking to criminals, boasting he is "the biggest informer". And as for the youth, he is promoting education as his number one priority. A recent series of community forums sought the opinions of constituents to create a 'Vision for the Youth of South St. Andrew' to be turned into policy.
And should he win the PNP race, there is the worry of his constituency squaring off against a rival Bruce Golding-led West Kingston. He cites his record in negotiating peace between JLP-Rema and the constituency as a whole. And a partnership with Mr. Golding's predecessor Edward Seaga united the two constituencies symbolically through football. They are presidents of Arnett Gardens and Tivoli Gardens respectively.
Both he and Mr. Golding will not need to test each other's maturity. Their constituencies and Jamaica need no 'bangarang'.
