Race for NE St Elizabeth heats up

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

Two more aspirants have jumped into the race for the North East St Elizabeth candidacy of the People's National Party (PNP), bringing the total number of contenders to five.

Political insiders say the addition of two surprise contenders has thrown the July 18 contest wide open.

The already intense constituency has been sent into a tizzy with the latest development.

Sunday night's brawl among PNP supporters backing two candidates appeared to have generated much of the increased interest.

Deputy general secretary of the PNP, Julian Robinson, told The Gleaner that Nigel Pagon, son of Sydney Pagon, a former member of parliament for the constituency, submitted an eleventh-hour application yesterday.

So did Winston Samuels, a teacher at Hampton School in the parish.

Wensworth Skeffery, who had earlier served notice of his intention to run on the PNP ticket, also submitted his application yesterday.

Former People's National Party Youth Organisation President Basil Waite, as well as Lynden Rose, submitted their applications earlier.

The tension that gripped the constituency last week when incumbent Member of Parliament Kern Spencer - who is fighting a corruption trial - declared that he would make way for a new candidate culminated in a physical brawl at the start of the week.

Objection to waite

Apprehension and anger greeted a letter that was dispatched to the party secretariat, chaired by Spencer, objecting to Waite's candidacy.

The tone of the letter suggested that there has been a falling out between Waite and Spencer, who both attended Munro College and the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Spencer succeeded Waite in 2002 as PNPYO president.

North East St Elizabeth has been dominated by the PNP, with the exception of 1980-89.

Sydney Pagon is considered to be one of the architects of North East St Elizabeth as a powerful political force for the PNP in western Jamaica.

Pagon died in 1991, only months after being forced to relinquish the seat by failing health.

Roger Clarke won the seat in a by-election and maintained quiet dominance until he gave way to Spencer in 2007.

Sources informed The Gleaner that prominent PNP supporters believe Pagon Jr, a businessman, would return the desired stability to the constituency.

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com