‘FACELESS’ MISCHIEF
Scott blames St Bess protest on clandestine ploy as election draws closer
Published:Tuesday | January 7, 2025 | 12:22 AMKimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter
The “faceless” protest in St Elizabeth South Eastern on Monday was staged by “paid” political actors not affiliated with the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), according to its prospective candidate Norman Scott, who said his entrance into the constituency has put pressure on the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
The constituency is represented by the JLP’s Franklin Witter, who is on his second consecutive term as member of parliament. Before that, he was elected as MP in 2007 before losing his re-election bid in 2011.
A video circulating on social media showed lit debris along the main road in Exton in the constituency, with the voice of an unidentified woman indicating that she awoke to news that it was in protest of Scott’s candidacy.
She said the roadblock, which was mounted sometime after 4 a.m., was done by disgruntled PNP supporters.
A man was heard in the background supporting the report of objection to Scott.
But the Spanish Town mayor has poured cold water on the argument, noting that he has been working within the constituency for the last four months on the PNP’s account without any objection.
Scott, who has been councillor for the Greendale division in the St Catherine Eastern constituency for approximately three decades, said his reported favourability over Witter in a recent poll conducted is the reason for the protest.
He could not say by how many percentage points he was leading Witter.
STRONG SUPPORT
Scott said approximately three divisions meet in the Exton zone, but noted that the PNP has strong support in the area.
Still, he said because of the number of divisions that border the location, it was used as a “pawn” for the protest.
He said all PNP chairmen of divisions in the constituency are in “full support” of him. So, too, are cluster managers and workers, he added.
“The more we have meetings, the larger they (number of supporters) are becoming. People are enthused; people are really showing interest and want to see the back of the Jamaica Labour Party,” said Scott.
Both the JLP and the PNP have equal number of victories in the constituency over the last 10 general election cycles, dating back to 1980. This includes the 1983 general election which was not contested by the PNP.
Witter has contested six of those elections, winning handsomely in the September 3, 2020 general election marred by the coronavirus pandemic. He polled 9,038 votes to defeat the PNP’s Dr Dwaine Spencer by 2,702 votes. In 2016, he defeated the PNP’s Richard Parchment by 205 votes. Parchment was the incumbent in an election which saw the shock defeat of the Portia Simpson Miller administration and the rise of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES INCREASED
Scott, who is also a PNP vice president, said political activities have increased in the constituency with the general election due by September 3, with JLP supporters reportedly painting sidewalks green in areas close to Exton.
“We’re told that money was given to one individual who returned the money last night (Sunday night) and it was given to other individuals, and this is the result of it today, which is why you can’t see a face. It (protest) is faceless,” said Scott.
“With a protest, you see people with placards. With this, all you see is fire burning and hear a voice,” he added.
Pressed for clarity on whether he was accusing JLP supporters of masterminding the protest, he repeated that money was paid to political actors.
Efforts to reach Witter were unsuccessful as calls to his cell phone went unanswered. He did not respond to The Gleaner’s request for comment via WhatsApp.
The Gleaner contacted J.C. Hutchinson, JLP deputy leader for Area Council Four, which comprises Hanover, St James, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth; however, he said he could not speak to the situation or allegation.
Scott said the protest, which disrupted the start to the Easter Term for some schools and delayed residents travelling to work, has caused people who were on the fence about his candidacy to pledge support.
“People who were reluctant are now coming on board. A very prominent businessman in the town now wants to meet. There are no objections to my candidacy. Not one single iota,” said Scott.