Electors weigh loyalty, pressing daily needs

After living in Morant Bay, St Thomas, for more than 40 years, street vendor Denise said yesterday that she has never seen a reason to vote and does not even know the candidates contesting the upcoming September 3 polls.

“Mi nuh see no reason fi vote,” she said flatly, while balancing her washrags and Scotch-Brite scouring pads as she sought buyers in the scorching mid-morning sun.

First-term incumbent Member of Parliament Dr Michelle Charles, who broke a six-term run in St Thomas Eastern by the People's National Party's (PNP) Dr Fenton Ferguson, is seeking a second term under the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). This while facing a strong challenge from veteran local government representative and PNP candidate, Yvonne Shaw.

However, Denise, when asked which one of the women she will be supporting, quickly asked, “Which one a dem a Shaw – PNP or Labourite?”, while explaining that she does not know either of them.

The single mother, who has lived her entire life in eastern St Thomas, says neither party has ever given her a reason to participate in the political process.

“If mi can get some money dat would a good, as me have a pickney without father.

“If mi can get some money fi send mi daughter go back a school, and food fi eat, 'cause nuff time mi deh yah hungry, so mi not even see di reason, den mi might vote. But if not, mi stay inna mi house,” she told The Gleaner.

“God a mi government right now. A Him mi pray to and Him help mi.”

She said none of the representatives has convinced her of why she should vote, but she would be minded to vote for whichever party helps her.

“Mi tell mi daughter wah morning, if me see a party dat can help mi, mi wi vote, PNP or JLP.

“A one speech can convince me right now — money, some good money,” she declared, while laughing.

Like Denise, many constituents in St Thomas Eastern are weighing political loyalty against pressing day-to-day needs. For some, long-standing allegiances remain firm.

Charles, who has represented the seat since 2020, is campaigning on the JLP’s infrastructural investments and development push in the parish. She points to ongoing projects like the South Coast Highway, the SPARKS youth programme, and a new town centre in Morant Bay as evidence of progress.

“I practically live in my seat,” Charles told The Gleaner, following her nomination at the Coke Methodist Church. “What I would say to the people is, this Andrew Holness Government is one that loves St Thomas Eastern and has invested in St Thomas Eastern. Everyone put on your sunglasses—because the future is bright.”

Yet, not everyone is convinced.

Nas, a vocal PNP supporter and vendor in Morant Bay, is adamant that Charles has failed to deliver during her time in office.

“For almost five years, Ms Charles deh here and she don’t do nothing more than ever deh pon TikTok. Nothing more she do than just walk pass the people, and election time she talk to people,” he said. “Time come for better. Shaw do it already as mayor and councillor, so she a go do it again.”

Shaw, who previously served under both the JLP and PNP, is campaigning on her decades of grassroots experience. She dismissed criticism over her party-switching, saying the people care more about service than political branding.

“I think what’s important is that I serve the people well — and that is what they are looking for,” she told reporters. “I’m the servant, not the master.”

Shaw also touted her recent by-election victory in the Morant Bay Division as proof that voters trust her to do the work.

Support for both candidates, however, remains high in the constituency.

Fabian, a 34-year-old shopkeeper, said he’s backing Charles and the broader JLP administration because of national progress.

“Under the PNP administration, dem mash up St Thomas. Goodyear was the biggest tyre manufacturer in the country and dem get rid a it. Dem mash up everything, so me nuh see why Ms Shaw could a see fi help dem,” he said.

“We nuh need fi see Ms Shaw or Markie British 'cause dem nuh have no solid plans for St Thomas,” he said, pointing to the creation of jobs in the parish, the development of the South Coast Highway, and the new urban centre by the JLP.

“If dem nuh like Pearnel daughter, dem can vote fi Andrew. Yu have to think about the driver of the bus,” he said.

Agreeing with that view was 29-year-old entrepreneur Patricia, who said she grew up in a PNP household, but can no longer vote out of tradition alone.

She said while several things still need to be addressed in the constituency, including renovating the park, good things are happening to which she cannot turn a blind eye.

“At the end of the day, mi suffer coming up and me nuh see di benefit wey mi granny get, so mi say mi vote fi progress,” she said, noting that both she and Brian, whose families are PNP supporters, have decided to break voting traditions.

In the meantime, Dell, a firm supporter of Charles, says she has been misunderstood but has been working tirelessly.

“Before the election call, dat woman has been on the go, me nuh think she rest. She is a no-nonsense person, and she is not a handout person. She nuh really like give yuh cash, she naa give yuh nuh cash,” she said.

Noting that Charles assisted her with back-to-school support for her child, Dell said she believes in helping persons to better themselves by giving them opportunities and resources. She also indicated that many persons who are criticising have not visited her to seek help for themselves.

However, for residents like Iris Kinlocke, who has followed Shaw through both major parties, the vote is not about tradition or blind loyalty.

“When she did over Labour, mi support her. Now she over PNP, mi follow her same way,” Kinlocke said. “Mi know she can do it, she is a good person and mi know she can do it. Just give a chance and yuh see what St Thomas made of.”

With nomination day behind them, both candidates say they are confident of their chances of winning.

Charles said she is confident, but not complacent.

“I don’t ever underestimate anyone I’m running against,” she said. “But my team has walked the walk. That’s what sets us apart.”

For Shaw, her mantra is to serve, and the people believe and have expressed confidence in her ability to serve them.

“We have done our canvass and we are ahead,” she said. “Our chances are pretty good based on our canvass.”

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com