Joseph Cunningham, Gleaner Writer

Buchanan

People's National Party (PNP) contender for the Central Westmoreland constituency, Paul Buchanan, yesterday threw in the towel, ending a valiant struggle to thwart efforts by the party hierarchy to drop him from its list of candidates for the next general election.

Controversy over the Central Westmore-land constituency arose when the PNP sent veteran politician Roger Clarke into the constituency to replace Buchanan, who won the party's constituency's selection in September. The vacancy occurred when incumbent PNP Member of Parliament, Dr. Karl Blythe, announced his retirement from active politics earlier this year.

Backing down from previous bravado that he was unperturbed by threats of disciplinary action from the PNP hierarchy, Mr. Buchanan stated: "I have always maintained that the final decision rests with the party leader. It is now fully confirmed that the party leader has ratified Comrade Roger Clarke as the candidate," a hurt Mr. Buchanan said at a hurriedly-called press briefing in Kingston yesterday.

Buchanan also signalled support for Roger Clarke, suggesting that, like him, the Agriculture Minister will have a landslide victory over Jamaica Labour Party candidate, Russell Hammond.

Rumours

Buchanan attempted to dispel rumours that Prime Minister Simpson Miller's decision to replace him would signal the beginning of a legal battle between him and the party. "I have fought strenuously to make my case for confirmation, sadly this is not our time. Maybe one day our vision of Central Westmoreland will become a reality," he argued.

He encouraged his supporters to act in the party's best interest, stating, "As a leader, it is my duty to say to my supporters and all who have fought with me that we must now end that struggle. Do your duty as good comrades. I must go to the wilderness alone. Now, the party needs you."

Mrs. Simpson Miler is expected to announce the PNP's full list of general election candidates at the party's National Excecutive Council meeting at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston today.