Janice Allen to represent PNP in St James Central

WESTERN BUREAU:

Senator Janice Allen was on Sunday given the nod to be the People’s National Party (PNP) representative in the St James Central constituency, which is currently held by the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Heroy Clarke, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

Allen, the PNP’s spokesperson on tourism, is seeking to become the first female member of parliament (MP) for the constituency, where Clarke is in his second term as the constituency’s representative in the nation’s Parliament.

While Allen will be a first-time candidate in representational politics, she comes from a family with strong political roots in St James, especially in the Granville division. She is the daughter of former PNP stalwart Glover Allen, who served two terms in the St James Municipal Corporation as councillor for Granville.

Following her selection on Sunday, during the party’s St James Central constituency conference at Cornwall College, in Montego Bay, Opposition Leader Mark Golding make it quite clear that he expects Allen to bring new energy to the constituency, where Clarke wrested control from the PNP’s Lloyd B. Smith in 2016.

“We have her in Janice Allen,” said Golding, in outlining that the PNP needs a quality representative in St James Central. “We need a change from what is there now, and we are giving you a lady of quality, a lady of intellect, a lady with a passion for service for the people, a lady with relevant experience [gained] over the years that will enable her to serve the people and serve them well.”

HOPE RESTORED

St James Central is a fairly new constituency, which was carved from St James Northwest in 2011. Only Clarke and Smith have ever contested the constituency. Smith became the first MP, serving one term when he defeated Clarke by fewer than 100 votes.

Speaking during Sunday’s conference, Phillip Paulwell, the leader of opposition business in Parliament, said Allen’s entry and presence in representational politics has restored hope for the party and Comrades in the constituency.

“We have a lot of PNP voters in Central St James, but we have not been able to galvanise and pull them together since Lloyd B. Smith. What I have seen here tonight is that Comrade Janice Allen has brought the entire Central St James together, and she is going to be the next member of parliament,” said Paulwell.

Paulwell went on to laud Allen for what he said were her excellent presentations in the Senate, saying she has distinguished herself as a capable person with the requisite qualities to take her place in the Lower House.

“I have watched Janice as a legislator in the Senate; she is a deep thinker; she researches well, and she makes excellent presentations. I have always felt that Janice’s place is in the House of Representatives because she loves people,” noted Paulwell.

In her maiden address to the delegates of the constituency, Allen made it clear that making it to Gordon House would not be an easy task and, as such, she expects full support and cooperation in what she said would be intense and coordinated political work.

“I said to you that I do not have all the answers, but what I have is a heart full of love for this constituency. I know that change does not come overnight, but if you walk with me, if you campaign with me, if you knock on doors with me, my Comrades, I know we shall see the promised land,” said Allen.

editorial@gleanerjm.com